Hugh Collier(?)

S. P. 63/203, no. 119

Edited by Hiram Morgan ; Kenneth W. Nicholls

Dialogue of Silvynne and Peregrynne

'Dialogue of Silvynne and Peregrynne' (S.P. 63/203, no. 119)

The ffirst Booke, entreateth of
diuers outradges comited in the Kinges
County, from the latter end of the harvest
1597 vntill march next ensuinge viz:

Silvyn

I am meightely deceaued, but yonder walketh my frende Peregrynne, to whom I will drawe nere, for he hath bene missinge, full one yeare and a half, and assured I am that he hath not spent so greate a tyme in vayne. God save you gentle brother Peregrinne, In what clymat of the worlde haue you made your abydinge., your frends haue bene greately discontented, and much grieved was myself lykewyse, of your longe discontynuance, but now I haue caught you once againe, you may not so lightly departe my companie, before I haue sownded the cause of your absence., and therefore I pray you tell me where you haue spent your tyme, for you must thinck you are not a litle wellcome unto me.

Peregryn

My good brother, I am as glad to see you in health, as any frende whatsoeuer that I haue now in the worlde, and to be brief with you, I arryved not past two howers sithence at Sprignolls shopp, where I made greate enquirye for you, and after I was tryumded I went to paules, then to the Exchaunge, and now I thanck God, I haue met hym at Westminster whom I honour with my harte: and whereas your desyer to knowe where I haue spent my tyme this yeare and this half, you shall understand, that I haue bene in Ireland.

Silvyn

In Irelande man¦ Oh¦ what a country of wrath is that it hath not the addicion of the sillable Ire in vayne, but I pray you tell me., where and how haue you spent your tyme in that land of trouble., and what is the best newes from thence.

Peregryn

My chiefest abydinge, whilest I was there, was in Aphaley (a parcell of the Kinges County.

Silvyn

Why¦ the inhabitantes there, be for the moste English as I haue harde, and men of good accompte.

Peregryn

So they are, for the moste parte, but some of them as honest men (as your oulde acquayntaunce Jherome Son/uher, who was throwne ouer the barre for forgery.

Silvyn

A Shame take them for theire labour (but it maketh no greate skill, for there are men of all sorts good and badd, but I pray thee deliuer, some of that countrie newes.

Peregryn

I am contented, to satisfie thy request, towching such accydentes as haue happened in the Kinges County, duringe my aboade there (myself beeing an eye witnes of many calamyties there happeninge, especially to the poore English and theire adherentes, And first will I begynne, with one Sir Edwarde Harbert of a place called the Durrough.

Silvyn

I remember not longe sithence, I saw him a sutor at the Court and had verry good countenance of her maiestie, beinge mightely befrended with the best sorte and especially with the Erle of Pembrooke, and Doctor Harbert, one of the masters of the requestes.

Peregryn

It is even the verry same gentillman, and god knoeth her maiestie hath to few such in the realme of Ireland (for if shee had the greate devill of the North (the traitor Tyroane I meane) had not continved his malice so longe, But now to the matter, Aboute the ende of harvest 1597 in cometh that graceles bud Bryan Reogh from the Northerne Lucifer (or Belzebub if you will) I much care not, and he lyke a myninge devill, with a nomeber of spirittes  p.3 285r from all fower partes of the worlde to hym assembled withowt either descry, encounter, Let or stay, as though he with his wicked Crewe had come invisable. Arryveth harde by that serviceable knight Sir Edwarde Harbert, then being at Durrough, in the night tyme, and hete there so closely, that before the good knight was once aware, they were lyke to haue intrapped himself, his lady, their children and servauntes, with castle, house, goods and all. ffor first hearing the Alarum in the towne, and to hym seeminge but some ordynary matter befallen, lyke a stealth comonely in those countries happeninge, sent owt some of his tryed people, to recouerr any thinge agayne, that in such manner was so taken.) but the master devill of those myning spirittes (shewing himself as cvnninge, as the ould serpent that deceaued Adam by the meanes of Eave: first sent owt some of his flyinge spirittes to provoake a skirmish. And that would not serve, comaunded some of his fyerie legion to play theire partes. Vppon which one Clinton the leader of Sir Edwardes shot issued forthe vppon the setting of some howses on fyer nere adioigning to the castell, all which tyme the M-r Engyner, lay lvrkinge lyke an oulde serpent, vnder a ridge or baurk, not far from the house, to haue surprysed the same if possibly he might, accordinge his masters comission (with the advyse of many other good dishonest hedds I warrant you) Well to be shorte, the good knight, who had formerly tasted of the lyke stratageams mounted to the top of his pyle, from whence he espyed the master Engyner with his darke discyples, ready with open Jawes to haue devoured all, if Clinton had passed neuer so litle farther., wherevppon a retract was cryed (which was done with the losse of V or six men on both sydes.

Silvyn

I promis you that knave was bothe hardy, and pollitique, and well frended besydes and I pray you what did hee then.

Peregryn

When that Invisible Jugler saw, that all his trickes, feictes and conceiptes, toke no small effectes, he then imitate Allexander the greate, in whose meryment Lais the Curtyzen provoaked hym to burne Persepolis, which he presently went in hand with. The rumor whereof beinge spread thorough the army (the nobles and chieftaines with theire companies, thinckinge the fyer to haue happened by some mischaunce, came rrvning with water & other matter to quench the same, but seeinge themperour to further the destruction of so Noble a cittie, with his owne handes, threwe downe theire water, and other matters for help and departed with grief. And so my myninge devill burned all the whole parish of the Durrough, to the greate hurte of the good knight, and his tenantes, a losse of no small reconinge and yet never a personne, rich nor poore, small or greate, came either with help of water, or other matter as aforesaid, to the remedy and quenchinge of the premisses, vntill all was with fyer consvmed.

Silvyn

Alas good gentillmean, the more is the pittie that his Lyvinge should ly in such a remoate place., and emongst such vyle neighbours, but I pray you proceed farther, & tell me when this master Engyner will pack him away.

Peregryn

After he had performed all at the Durrough as aforesaid he addresseth himself into the harte of the countrie of Phercall, being otherwyse named Omoloyes countre, and there one Donell McArt Omoloy had some small bickeringe with hym. In which skirmish the said Donell was hurte with an enchaunted weapon in the Arme: so that neither he nor his brother Callogh were euer true to her maiestie sithence.

Silvyn

Now truely as I remember, you and I, aboute some xxiii yeares agon, were walking in yealde hall, at which tyme there cam thither, An ancient fatherlye gentillman, called Capten Cowlye, in company with Master Browne an officer under the maior of the said  p.5 286r hall, and emongst other talk betwene them, I harde them lament the deathe of one Robert Cowley, who was slayne by some of thoise Omoloyes, at the forte of Phillipstowne, some two yeares before.

Peregryn

Now truly brother Sylvynne thee passest for good remembraunce, for the said Robert was slaigne at the forte bridge (by Shane roa Omoloy and his company, being a brother by the father syde unto the said Donell and Callogh., The last of the two (by some witchcraft as I take it) married the widdowe of one Donnell Omoloy a gallant servitieur of her maiesties who was slaigne by the Connors at the Durrough longe sithence, and shee was the eldest daughter of the said Robert Cowley.

Silvyn

Seene we haue digressed a litle from Brian Reogh whose daughter was mother, to the said Donell and Callogh.

Peregryn

As I haue hard, shee was a sister to a knight called Sir John Tirrell.

Silvyn

But I pray the tell the truth, are theire right Tirrelles in that country.

Peregryn

Why is that such a matter, there are ould Tirrells and New Tirrelles, a whole countrie full in a county called westmeath.

Silvyn

Ould Tirrelles and new Tirrelles¦ I pray you make a destinction of them.

Peregryn

I am content to satisfie they request, as nere as I canne, for havinge had some conference with a gentillman of westmeath, towching those  p.6 286v Tirrelles, he with small intreaty., toulde me, that the ould Tirrelles, came ouer at the first Conquest of Ireland., and were of the kyndred of Walter Tirrell that killed William Rufus, And the new were lyneally discended ffrom James Tirrell, that murdered Edwarde the fifth & his brother (and they came ouer longe sithence the first (of which sept Sir John Tirrell is one who by reasonne of wealth and allyance with the borderers, his awncestors suppressed the ould Tirrelles and beareth rule of them under maiestie.

Silvyn

Now I ensuer you there is some hidden mistery in this name, they have bene such untowarrd people for I remember one myself in Quene Maries tyme (called Sir Edmond Tirrell, as meete a companion for bonner in the persecucion of the protestantes, as might be.

Peregryn

It apereth you would fayne knowe the Irish phrase of that name: I protest unto you, the said gentillman tould me, they call it in Irish Treealh, which signifieth banished for murder or threasonne.

Silvyn

Well brother Peregrynne, I was suer there was some darke meaninge in it, which I am afraid will come to an exchange matter, before it be longe. But what¦ me thinckes we haue bene so far in with the Omoleyes, and the Tirrelles, that wee haue cleane forgotten brian Reogh.

Peregryn

A mischief take his sconce for his labour, for after his thanckles paynes taken at the Currough, he taketh vpp his refections in Pharall, Odoynbes countrie, and the borders there aboutes, and passeth by degrees with more favour then feare  p.7 287r into Leix, where he and his hellhowndes, not as invisible spirittes, but as opn persecutors of the good subiect in those partes, for and on the behalfe of the Antechristian League., conferreth with the bluddy spiritt Owny Omoore, for a supply of some of his followers, and as many of the Connors who maligned the Estate of the English and others of her maiesties good subiectes in Aphaley: which request was with small labour obteigned, for the said Owny. with those Connors & others: not many daies before: who make clayme to that countrie of Aphaley: in passinge through the same, toke such an assay of the swetnes thereof, that they were easely indvced to fight under Lucifers banner. And to further theire busynes the better, there went forth of Aphaley in comepany with them three forstallinge caterpillors, named Comick Oge O Dempsy, Brian O fferrall, and William Mc Cay: a leash of as daungerous vermyn as euer possessed a stoany cave.

Silvyn

But me thinckes one conceipt or another, still dryves us away, from endinge with Brian Reogh, a plague take his greatnes, for I rem-ber you and I, saw the miscreant, in the counter, being comitted by one Sir Charles Ocarroll.

Peregryn

You say true, but two greate ones, were suters for his enlardgment, the first of them pervayled and the latter reiected, but the service had bene agreate deale better for her maiestie, and the poore Ireland subiect, that he had made his Ultimum Vale at Tybourne.

Silvyn

Truly brother you say true, but we English menne, either we cannot, or we will not see, what is  p.8 287v good for the Comon wealth, but if a poore servitieur of our owne countrie birth., should haue bene comitted (yea¦ but for a small fault. The best comforte that he shall haue, is hang him, hange him: well proceede.

Peregryn

Well now entreth Brian Reogh agayne, havinge gathered togither a greate nomeber of caterpillers, meete as he thought to goe thorough with his intended villany (accordinge to his oathe anbd promise made to the Traytor Tyroane, so that vppon the last of September 1597, he havinre in his comepany the nomeber of some CCC or fower hundredth reprobates of all sortes, arived into that countrie of Aphaley, with allmoste as greate cvnninge, as he com to the Durrough, withowt either hue and cry made, or blowe gived vntill he cam within half a myle of Phillipstowne, where then lay in garrysonne Capten Henry Cowleys hundredth fote, but yet by the way, he forgot not to enterteigne, Teig Roegh Odoyne, being a whelp of a good kynde, for he is no worse a man, then Shane Oneales daugthers sonne: and in his passinge by Geshill, the Connors in token of a boone voyadge strykes of William Ahaillers headd, because he had spoken blasphemy, agaynst some of their vipoers, Then draweth he on towardes Knockbaleybooy, a towne of Nicholas Tutes, and there my forstallinge companions worke theire pleasures., but yet somewhat before this Master Dempsy came to the towne and tould Lientenant Rushen, that if he woulde take forth some xxtie or xxxtie shot to skirmish with thenemy, he might gall verry many of them, and retourne back agayne in safety (vppon which mocion, and rather rather that the said Dempsy was of credit in that countrie, he was contented to awnswere his request, and therevppon¦ made choyce of his most tryed soldiers, and to encoradge them the better, the said M-r Dempsy bestowed some stoare of sack vppon them, which wyne by gods providence, was the sweetest, that euer they tasted in theire lyves, for that beinge a greate delay, that they went not  p.9 288r forwarde at the first, kept them from destruction, for otherwyse they had either ouerpaste the enemy, by another way, or els met them full in the teeth, (far from relief). And then in most mens judgement had bene all massacred, and the towne burned, (if the forte had escaped, but after they had tasted theire liquor, away went the Lieutenant with his soldiers, the said m-r dempsy and his servaunt accompanyinge them on horsback, who had not marched scarce a quarter of myle, but the enemy was descryed. Vpon which the said lieutenant, seeinge so great a force made an easy retreicte: which the ememy espyinge, threwe away theire mantles and made after him so fast, that they fell in skirmish at a villadge called Clonad belonginge to the aforesaid Tute, which those forstallinge vipers forgot not to fyer, as they had don formerly at his towne of knockbaleyboy, to the gentillmans greate hinderaunce: his losses be accompted to amounte to the some of CCli at the least, besydes his tenants and others.  ³

Silvyn

I promis you brother, perceaue there be a nomeber of dissemblinge hippocrittes in that countrie, for it apeth, the said m-r dempsies foreknowledge of thenemies strength, and to provoake the said lieutenant and his compay, to goe forth., from the Queens maiesties fforte and towne, to endanger themselues against a multitude: and lay all vppon six and seaven, showed no good meaninge in him, neither the other much to be comended, for his too much forwardnes but god a mercy a cupp of sack, once a mans tyme, thoiugh he neuer meddle with that liquour afterwardes: but I perceaue those forstallinge vipers brake not forthe of theire Cave but to worke an honeste mans woe. But proceede with the skirmish.

Peregryn

Now truely there was a whot skirmish, betwene the Lieutenant and the Enemy, yet allthough  p.10 288v The miscreantes were xv for one: our syde, yet those handfull of soldiers beate them from the high Towne with the slaughter of some six of themeny, and loste no more but one Evans Vaughan, a tall fellow and another soldier hurte, Then they passed aloofe for feare of the greate ordynaunce of the forte, which dismayed them mightely, but yet they burned the moste parte of the subberbs withowt the north gate called beggars bush to the hinderance, and undoinge of many an honest subiect.

Silvyn

I perceaue the garrysonne soldiers had much adoe to kepe the forte and towne, from destruction, but where were all your greate knightes and gentlemen of that countrie for me thinckes the verry shewe of them if they had not fought, would haue done much to haue dismayed the Enemy.,

Peregryn

I must needes say that the soldiers did what in them lay, for Seriant Phillips skirmished with the enemy at beggars bush, but being overlaied by the caterpillers was driven to retier, and whereas you speake of knightes and gentillmen you shall vnderstand, that an hower after that skirmish at beggars bush, in cometh mr Dempsies brother and some xx or xxxtie kearne and shot with hym (with greate hast and litle speede, as though they had slept all the tyme the enemy was in theire country, and not mynded to follow the vipers, drew towardes mr Phillips, for theire dynners and so returned ouer the bog into theire owne country withowt blow given or taken.

Silvyn

Now truly brother if I were to distinguish the abouesaide comepanions, (with Lucyfers crewe, I woulde make litle difference, betwene bothe parties, for the black disciples worke theire mailce openly with swoorde and fyer: and the other  p.11 289r vnder the cullour of good subiectes, workke theire webb of wickednes privilye (for they stande and cry Ayme, to see on which syde the game will goe I haue to muche of theise netwyde Juglers, goe forwarde with your caterpillers and tell me which of your seigniors best resisted them.

Peregryn

After that these broode of vypers passed beggars bush, they devyded theire loose companions vnder diuers leaders, and so went through the hart of the countrie burninge and spoylinge my Archvyper kepinge himself with his mayne battle at harmes (for the rescue of such flyinge spirittes, as he had sente abroade (three or fowerscore of which, came to a farme called Cloneireill, within as myle of the forte, and there thought to haue wrought wonders, for that it was in a manner better then a bare towne but thre it well appered, the difference betwene god and mammon, the good and the bad: for in that place, an ould gentillman named Peter Leicester, with some vii or eight lusty fellowes so tickled my vypers that wnet thither, that well was that devill that coulde fly fastest havinge one of theire best ymbes slayne, with some thre or fower other of the comon sorte and divers hurte besydes, which accident somewhat dismaied the Lucifermen., and from thence they poasted towardes Sir Thomas Moores landes, and there they burned some of his townes, but the greatest losse there, happened to one Donogh O Sherin which was estemed to amunte to some CCth markes: the cause of whose mishappe was, that not longe before., he refused the aforesaid Teig Reogh Odoyne for one meales meate, but it had bene better for him, to haue given him a yeares diet.

Silvyn

Now truly brother that was a good ould  p.12 289v man and worthy of greate comendacions, but I pray the tell mee, was never none of the greate Seigniors that would vndertake., to fight in so good a quarrell but onely hee., haue they no sherif in that county.

Peregryn

To tell the trouthe Sir Thomas Moore was then at Dublin, and Sir Henry Warren, high Sherif, Sir George Cowley, M-r Wakeleys brother with some xxx horssmen made a stande at a place called Tippordalty (Vppon the ende of a togher, being the said Sir Henries lande, and the greatest pece of service that there was done, was an enterpryse perfourmed by the said M-r Wakeleis man, who adventured to ryde ouer the said togher or cauesey, beinge better then a flight shot in length, the Enemy burninge hard by, and so passed to Croghan, And at his retourne., the enemy was on the bog adioyningee to the said togher, and there dicharged a volew of shot at hym, but as god woulde, missed the man and killed the horsse, and yet he lyke a lustie fellowe, escaped from the enemy with his saddle and brydell vnto his comepany: Then some of the flyinge vypers were marching ouer the bog, to haue burned some of Mr Wakeleis land: but were prevented by John Wakeley his brother: for he espyinge there intentes rid form the sherif, with such of his comepany as he had of his owne, and commaunded a nomeber of his brothers tenantes to get vppon to get vppon garrondes, some havinge a stake, a pole or the lyke in theire handes, and so drooped lyke gald fellowes to the top of a hill in view of the Enemy: at which strange and unlooked for shewe, it was no boote to bid my flyinge vipers retyer to their mayne stand.

Silvyn

I promis you the matter was verry well handled aswell of the horsman, as by Mr Wakeley, and truly, allthough I was neuer there in that  p.13 290r country if the sheriff, and the rest of that assembly, had drawne nere the Garrysonne, and haue made but a showe vppon some hill, it might be the Enemy woulde never haue approached the harte of the countrey.

Peregryn

Well brother it grieued me to the harte, to see the slacknes of those gentillmen, for no doubt, they are men good enough, and such as hathe sene service, and hae bene captens of good desert, but in this poynte they erred greately, for if they had made but a shew as formerly you haue said, vpon some height at a place called Killadurrey, some half myle by north the towne, they shoulde both haue encoraged the soldiers and townsmen, to haue adventured more then they did, driven M-r dempsies men for shame to haue done somewhat, and they themselues haue engaaged all theire straglers, the grownde being champaigne and harde, yea and by your favour, haue made the Archvyper more affraid then his flyinge spiritts were of Mr Wakelies spearemen, for I assured myself, that they woulde all haue fledd back ouer the bog, and then of necessitie must needes haue loste many of their Idle lymbs in the pursuite, for after they had tasted of the oulde gentillmans banquet at Cloneirieff theire march was so timerous, and their lymbs and eies so weary with travaile, and lokinge aboute, that they thought euery bush had bene a man. But when they saw, there appered no let, and for that the day was somewhat spent, they burned the towne at the togher, and so passed ouer the bog to the two heskers, and there made bonfyers at theire willes and pleasures, but were so wearied with travaile by credible reporte, that fiftie able soldiers would haue discomfited them all.

Silvyn

I protest vnto you, I am weary to heare how our poore countreymen and theire adherentes are  p.14 290v pvnished in those partes (by such vassalles) in whom there is neither Christianitie, civilitie, nor no sparke of good educacion to provoake them to doe well, but this is our owne doinges, for as I said before if he had bene hanged in England, then he had not played these pageantes in Irelane, but I hoape we haue done with this gallant, for it is high tyme.

Peregryn

Yea¦ and more and tyme to, but for all that. hee with his black discyples of the Northe, pact themselues into the mountaignes by Dublin, to conferre with Feugh McHughes sonne, aboute some good dishonest matters (I warrant your) yet he forgot not to send the Connors, with the three forstallinge vypers and diuers other reprobates besydes, to molest the Easterly partes of that country, for his vyldnes had not somuch leasure, himselfe, but passinge by the County of Kildare, he forgot not to plvmbe vppon one William Gogh of Dublin, who well paied for his meetinge of so honest a crewe.

Silvyn

Will this goe currant contynvally withoet remedy, that assone as one miscreant goeth owt, another cometh in, but what manner of caterpillers be those Connors.

Peregryn

Marry Sir: these Connors be cosen vermaignes to the wethercock of Paules, for they¦ if the worlde hit not right for theire purposes: they will deney both name and countrey: but to be shorte, a nomeber of these Philistynes now newly hatched, haue tasted the benefit of her maiesties pay, being many of them fostred and brought vp in the bosomes of some of our greate seigniors of the Aphaley, and others. And these rabble of rascalls, begynne to burne, prea, and spoyle, aboute Sir George Cowlies, Mr ffraunces Harbertes, and those Easterly partes, to the greate hinderaunce of those two gentillmen. (and especially to the said Sir George. And to agravate his heavynes the more, the said miscreantes, fyndinge a pretty youth of one trulocks who was married vnto the said Sir George his niece, lyinge sick of an Ague in a bare towne that  p.15 291r his father held of Sir George., drew forthe the Chyld and after they had asked himn whose sonne he was, they agaynst all compassion or pittie, hewed the yoinglinge in pieces, to the greate grief of the knight his kinsman, his parentes and frendes, and so for this tyme, I will comitt those bluddy botchers to their M-r Beliall,

Silvyn

I must needes be so boulde, to say thus much, agaynste those gentillmen that nourisheth and bringeth vpp, such Adders broodes in theire bosomes, to the distruction of themselues and discredit of their children, and posteritie: which kynde of nourishers, beinge duly convicted thereof, are no more to be lamented or pittied, (except they amende theire errors, then that personne, which bothe willingly & willfully massacreth himself, for by this meanes they doe undre themselues and theires, and heape contynwall chardges vppon theire prince and soueraigne.

Peregryn

I woulde haue spent the pryce of my hose in Chauncery Lane, that thou haddest bene with mee in Irelande thy Judgement and rememberaunce is so good, but I assure myself, thou art allmoste weary of this Ireland stuffe.

Silvyn

No brother, it is not my meaninge to be weary of your occurrances, if it cost a montehes attendaunce and therefore proceede.

Peregryn

Within a fewe dayes after, those base borne Conors were departed Aphaley, vpp cometh Richard Tirrell, forth of the north, And lyke another myninge devill, never descryed nor countermyned (by any whatsoeuer, vntill he came to Killtubber (an honest comonwealth I warrant you) which way he travayled, Well¦ then was he prosecuted by Sir Edward Harbert, Sir John Tirrell, Sir Thomas Moore and gentle Capten Gifforde, with his vntowardly erected comepany from Connaght, but Sir Thomas and Sir John, drew theire headdes forth of  p.16 291v of the coller, and vppon the borders of Odoynes countrye, left their companions to god and good fortune: yet beeinge so forsaken, the said Sir Edward Harbert and Capten Gifford, with theire comepanies, followed the luciferians into Leix, and their beinge assisted with some of Sir Warham Sctledgers soldiers (and others of that countrie: chardged the Enemy home, and made greate slaughter of them: but not knowinge well, how to use a victory once gotten (nor weyinge the insufficiency of their companies, beinge moste kearne and casshiered companions of Connaught followed the chace into a woodde, verry loose and confusedly havinge no mayne stande to back them, which some of the black disciples of the northe espyinge, cryed vppon Tirrell not to loise his former reputacion, with the losse of so many of his approued spirittes, but wished him to make a stand, and call in his comepany (which presently he did) and havinge gotten thadvauntadge of a pece of grownde, so that our people coulde no come to them, but to the twist in myer, and that disordered as aforesaid: rechardged them, and had the killinge and chacinge of them aboue two myles, the good Sir Edward escaped verry narrowly, being verry well assisted by one Patrick McGarrot O Demsy, for most of his owne people forsooke him. Gentillman Gifford was fayne to trust to his heeles, hauinge lost his sereant and some others of his people: theire was a gallant taken prisoner by his cosen Tirrell that day named Terence McTeig McCale O Connor, who beinge released vppon easy condicions, neuer was true to her maiestie, till he lost his lyfe.

Silvyn

I doe greately pittie, both Sir Edwarde Harbert and Capten Gifforde, that they shoulde adventure themselues with such kynde of people (yet are somewhat to be blamed, that knowinge theire natures, could no leaue when they were well but what became then of Tirrell.

Peregryn

After he had spedd, as aforesaid, away he poasteth to that bluddy spirit Owny Omoore, to whom  p.17 292r such a graceles guest, was not a litle wellcome, and so after refection taken, to councell they goe, aboute the overthrowinge of Sir Warham Sctledgers and Hovendens comepanies at the new forte: which was not longe unperformed. (the more was the pittie, if it had pleased the lorde, but for that mischaunce happened in Leix, and I not thoroughly acquaynted with that dolefull Tragedy and bluddy murder, beinge also not mynded to set downe the particuler artes of that countrie: beinge allwaies resident in the kinges countie, I omit to wade any farther therein, but I can assure you, that Hovenden himself beinge a right valyant gentillman was slaigne there with bothe the whole bandes of moste tryed soldiers (Lieutenant Vickers and some two or three escapinge to the forte, but my blud succors followed the opportvnitie, ansd burned the garrysone towne to the subuersion of that countrey, as it proved afterwardes.

Silvyn

Did not I pronosticat, that there was a secreate meaning (in the name of Tirrells, which woulde proue an exchainge matter, or euer it were longe (Alas good Queene full litle knowest thou the cry of thy distressed servauntes and subiectes in that countrie, for if thou knewest it at the full, or but in that measure as my brother hath set it downe, I assure myself present reformacion woulde be had, but I shall desyer thee, to acquaynt me with one thinge more happened in the last revells, allthough thou makest, all matters happening forthe of the kinges countie forreigne accydentes thy busynes., I trust there is no sea betwene them: Nor greately any preiudice can it be to thy history, somewhat to interlace it, with remanents of other services effected in any qaurter of the realme besydes, but I knowe well enough what mettle thou art made of: for thou thinckest there be remembrances, in every shiere, and countrie throughowt the Realme, (by which meanes thou mayst bee misprooued., but if Fabian, Froysart., Hall, Grafton or any other of the rest that wrote the rememberances of tyme, werre now lyvinge: or any of them that now dothe wryte: would doie nothinge vppon reports, the printer, had not had, somuch labour aboute theire  p.18 292v greate volumes, but I pray the tell me whose lieutenant, was that vickers, and what was the ocasion he escaped so miraculously.

Peregryn

Well my goo brother: as opportvnitie will serve I will looke vpp my notes, that somewhat towtheth diuers actes effected in other partes of the realme but they are matters by heresay, and yet taken for currant, at church market and mill: As for Lieutenant Vickers, he went into Ireland, with Capten Thomas Morgan, when he and Capten George Acres, arryvinge forthe of holland, some xxv yeares sithence, with a gallant crew of soldiers were directed thither by her maiestie and councell, to assist that noble and thryse Renowned, Walter Erle of Essex in his warres in Ulster. And sithence the dischardge of his said Capten Morgan from thence: he served with Capten Mackworth and after his massacre with Sir Warham Sctledger, and stept up by degrees, from a private soldier, to be his lieutenant and had as greate commendacions, for his towardnes in service (before he matched with this last wyfe who is cosen vermaigne, to the bluddy spirit Owny Omoore., as any man of his tyme in the realme.

Silvyn

Well¦ I am sorry for him: for I knew him before he went into that country, and mightely was he overseene, to Ally himself with the kinrad of Traytors, in place where he servid, and no more to be pittied, then those Ophalians you formerly spoke of: that nourisheth vpp the snake in their owne bosomes: but proceed agayne to Tirrell, for this last victory hath set him aloft, and vntymely death be his confusion.

Peregryn

Agh brother¦ this luciferian, will loose no tyme, for beinge puft vpp with pryde with his late gotten victory in Leix, and thereby annymated lyke Julyan the Apostate, to become infamous  p.19 293r draweth into the kinges county, aboute the xiii of December 1597 and encampeth at Brackland a Towne of Sir John Tirrelles (somonninge the countrie lyke an Archrebell to send hym xltie beoues and he with his sediciones woulde leaue the countrie and take some other way.

Silvyn

I merveiele greately, how he durst trust him so fast when he left the countrie last.

Peregryn

Yea well enough: for he and his vnblessed crew, were protected the same night, that the ouerthrowe was given in Leix: and then might he come withowt feare to any place, and bothe parle and speake, with his ould frendes, and greate reasonne he had, to visit and make boulde, to encampe himself vppon his uncles landes.

Silvyn

I pray you by whom was he protected.

Peregryn

By Sir Warham SentLedger, lieutenaunt of the fforte and Queenes county called Leix.

Silvyn

Now truly if I had receaued so greate a misfortvne as hee did, I shoule haue bene somuch troubled with my oulde disease of the palsey, that I should haue adventured, lyfe, governement and all, before I shoulde haue subscribed to such a protection.

Peregryn

The knight coulde doe no otherwyse: consideringe the whole state of that countrie lyinge thereupon might otherwyse haue receaued a greater meschief but yet for all this: within a small tyme after all the whole country (the forte excepted) was even as good as clerely loste.

Silvyn

Retourne we agayne to Seigneur Tirrell, for the poore Leisyans had bad luck.

Peregryn

For a night or two, he went a visittinge (and at a place, was saluted and bid right hartely wellcome by the seconde light of the house, Tirrell at that  p.20 293v vnlooked for curtesy, after licour receaued yielded many thanckes: but awnswered, that those greetinges proceeded rather from flatteringe feare, then any inwarde good will borne vnto him, by reasonne that at his last goinge into Leix, the greate light of those partes sought his confysion, (with which worde) there was harde one speake with a hollow voyce, much lyke to the ould grey bearded verger, that speakes thorough the trurck in the cathedral church in Glocester: Sayinge thou art to iealous of thy good frendes, who travayled with wylie skilles to pull the deere into the toyle: And therein beinge fast entangled, thou by thyne owne demeanour (and for want of good take heede) sufferedst to escape) cleane contrary to thy frendes expectacion: beinge rescued by one silly groome: Which wordes were no sooner vttered, but a poast arryved from the campe, to hasten this bludsuccour thither, who after adoracion made to Antechriste Lucifer and the rest of that rabble: he yeilded greate thanckes to the Oracle and light, for his good enterteignement, and went his way.

Silvyn

A half penny halter hange that devyner, and kepe the poore deere forthe of the lyke toyles, but I pray the tell me this mistery, and I thinck, I shall never neede to vse the help, vntill the story be done.

Peregryn

Harke in thyne eare.

Silvyn

If John Wailes (Bonners chief somner had bene alyve, he coulde not haue plaied the knave more in his office, then my hee Devilles the Oracler did, as it may appere by his subtill sconce: but I woulde wish the poore deere to take heede, least by ouermuche trust he catch an untymely death. But proceede to the xlti beoues.

Peregryn

But first I must tell thee, that the tetrarches of the kinges countie, who imatate the way of Allexander the greate his princes and captens when theire master was  p.21 294r dead but not theire valyaunt myndes, are as they were at contencion emongst themselues, stryvinge for superiority, whylest theire younge kinge lost his greate empier in the easte. And they themselues for all theire cunninge devision of the Conquerors kingdomes and provinces left emongst them, were so worne owt, that not many hindreth yeares after, few of them or of theire offspringe were once worthe the speakinge of I pray god send those English seignours of Aphaley his grace to reconsyle themselues, in christian charitie due to another: And procure some worthie gentillman that shall commaunde them, and wysely governe that countrye., (and that with speede) least by reasonne of theire ambicion, thay haue in shorte tyme, as litle landes in Aphaley as Allexaunders successors haue now kingdomes and provinces in the easte.

Silvyn

I am sorry to such a reporte of the English, and English race, god knitt them in a better league of frendship if it be his pleasure you still forgett the beoves.

Peregryn

But now retourne I agayne to Mr Tirrelles, masterships worship as honest a man as the English Tirrells were, which formerly I entreated of, well boeues were vnsent, whereuppon he advaunceth himself forwarde with his Antichistians, and encampeth at the hill of Mvllagh Rush, imitating haman to learne to clyme aloft, but I though a stranger, could haue wished that hill to haue borne such fruite as hamans gallowes did, then when he was assured that the country woulde give him no beoues owt goeth his currours for provision, some for beof, some for porke, some for muttonne some for small achates for the kitchen. Then owt poasts Lisagh his licour taster, being a degree and a half aboue the knave tapster and he with a nomeber of hellhowndes, visittes poore Killclonfert and the hamlets thereaboutes for aquavitie, ale, bere and other licour, but emongst all the good subiectes in those partes abydinge, one Henry Sumpter a tryed soldier on her maiesties behalf, and then collector of the barony of Phillipstowne was not forgotten, for he passed a ceassinge, and was besiedged in his mannor of Killduff.

Silvyn

I pray you by whom, for now I see there bee sweepstakes abroade.

Peregryn

By no worse man then king obrone, a well nvrtoured gentleman, for all Courtlyke, bringinge upp, who lyke Judas that betrayed Chryst held the poore collector with a tale, whylest the rest of his hellhownds assaulted his fortresse and there toke him prisoner, notwithstanding they had bene fellowes a longe tyme togither: and so carried him before their graunde commander at harmes, then fell they a spoylinge his Christmas stoare, no corner of the house was vnsought, his wyfe stripped stark naked, and one of his daughters vsed, as the persecutors vsed Sct Lawrence, layinge her vppon a Clieue in steadde of a gridiron to be broyled, to make her confes, where her fathers mony lay (and alas the more pittie) he knoweth not where as yet, to make his threasury, but to be shorte, they turned him back to his Chryst Cross row agayne, for they left neether cattell in the fielde, nor goodes in his house, for all was fish that came to net, and now not as collector but as one collected: standeth before that mahomet Tirrell, cravinge for restitution, consideringe they were vnder protection, but all the remedy he had was the levynge of his good swoirde, and pistolls behynde him, for all the rest of his furnytvre was taken away before. And had lost his lyfe lykewyse, and had it not bene for one of the Ocarrolles, that conveyed him away., but as cleane pluct as though he had come from the poulterers, And for that his brother fraynes tenauntes Nere neighbours of his shoulde not laugh him to scorne, my minsinge devilles shaved them so cleane, as if they had newely come from the barbers.

Silvyn

I pray you brother, was neuer a one of your knights or justices, that woulde take the advauntage for breakinge his protection, for I ensure you these accydentes be moste miserable.

Peregryn

In deede a faier advauntadge to be taken by them, for glad was he, that might best shrowde himself  p.23 295r in his castell, and leaue all abroade to the discrecion of himself and his spirittes.

Silvyn

I neuer harde of the lyke confusion in a countrie in my lyfe.

Peregryn

Nay brother you here not the tenth parte of the proceedinges in this country, for Tirrell beinge master of the fielde, cannot want any thinge that is to his lykinge: yet for order sake, if one may so terme it, he causeth streight warninge to be given, throughtout his camp that no gent take aboue ii s. a meale, a kearne or shot xii d, a boy six pece, and such meate as the poore tenantes hath besydes, which is to good for such traytorly villaynes., but for himself and his disworshipfull leaders, they so fill pawnch and purse that nothinge is to whot or to heavy for them.

Silvyn

Now in sooth brother, I haue harde so much euill of some of that countrey, that were it not for such that had not bowed theire knee to Baall, I would never be sorry for any harde accydent that might happen vnto them., but I pray thee when will that hellish brande pack forthe of that countrie.

Peregryn

I am allmoste, at an ende, with this journey of his.

Silvyn

I pray you say on.

Peregryn

Then followeth the doynes and the omoloyes, some of them as honest men, as their predecessors were, who scaled her maiesties forte of Phillipstowne, when the vallyant Robert Cowley was slaigne, and they as principall purveyors to lay vp in stoare against Tirrelles retourne into the kinges county, they take vp fat beaues for the kitchin, leaue cattell for stoare, porkes muttonnes, wheate, maulte, poultry and all other necessaries, not as the countie collectors doe with indifferency, but take all sayinge: that the  p.24 295v Antechristian League is to be provyded for, agaynst a greater tyme of neede: And those Omoloyes not contented, with theire greate Aucthoritie in Aphaley, lawnch owt into Westmeath, havinge the lyke commission to play the thieues in those partes (and emongst all their fegaries, and for that they would be counted infamous in keepinge theire Christmas havinge bid some states thither) they borrowed lx beoues of one Clabbogh Vicar of Mullingar xxxtie whereof were translated, or rather sacrificed, besydes a hill almost as high as Mounte Etna: I woulde to God her maiesties army there, might haue as great care taken for them (especially our poore countrie men) for the supplies of that country birth will shift it owt better, and yet some of them that be honest, no better then the rest, for I haue sene them both naked and meateles, to my no litle grief. And truly if men were vsed, yea but in reasonable measure for victualles and cloathinge, they woulde be the better encoradged to serve, for as the worlde goeth there now, they are but a laughinge stock to the enemy, god of his infinit goodnes see all amended. Then from Mullaghrush the traytor Tirrell with his Antechristians passeth to Tippordaley a villadge of Sir Henry Warrens and there encamped where his disworshipfull mastership and his bloudhowndes, well shewed themselues of what stamp they were, for they were not contented, with such sufficient mony and victualles acordinge the former prescription, lawnched forth on all sydes for spoyle, neither cattell, corne or any goodes whatsoeuer that was to be fownde was either to whot or heavy for them, and yet not therwith contented, toke vppon them to haue as greate skill in the black art, as the Germaigne monke, with the help of his master bellyall had when he first invented the use of artillery, for after theire pawnches and purses were full, they beganne as they said to dig for salt peter, but in labouringe the  p.25 296r grownd they hit vppon one Shane banes stock of xiii li which he with greate paynes, had bene longe agatheringe, besydes many more such cheates, (a moste lamentable estate god wot) well Antechrist his lieutenant generalles edict must be obeyed: and treacherous Tirrell his colonell in the southe partes, must walk northwarde with the leaguers, Then calleth he his Serpentcurians, Copperalles, dampnd curiars with a nomber of other spiritts of the earth and and declareth vnto them, that they must make themselues ready to waite vppon the greate devills of the north (who with all reverence the black diciples of those partes obeyed. Then after an Oracion gratulatorie made to his consortes he dismissed euery spirit his way (with lycence to live in those partes of the Earthe, which was best fittinge for them, vntill a new alteracion (but emongest all the peeres and princes of darknes, he forgot not the souldan teige reogh O Doyne, and comended him highly for his mighty paynes taken, both in this service, and in other former expedicions, and toulde him, that his master Lucifer, his nere kinsman, shoulde boithe give him thanckes and rewarde him besydes, And for that saith hee: I woulde be loath, that either yourself, your father or graundfather, should spende of the stoare, laid vpp against my next cominge into these partes. I haue requested Antechrist his chapleyne here present, to dispense with you (notwithstandinge our protection to take Mr Luthers cowes in your way homewardes. For which his kyndnes¦ he gaue him thanckes., And said that either himself or some his night croes, woulde not faiele to accept of so good an offer. And so about nyne of the Clock in the night, the said teig or some at his appointment, tooke Liiii cowes forth of the said Mr Luthers bawne, with all his goodes of any request without his Castle, to the gentlemans great hinderance, beinge but a farmer and no freeholder, setting at xxviii li sterling per annum, And thus I end with this thrice renowned murderer and traitor Tirrell for this tyme, beiung onwarde a myle or two of his way, to the great gulph of destruction.

Silvyn

Now truly brother as thou knowest, I haue reade ouer many histories, aswell such, as haue tended to the subversion, of empiers, kingdomes, provinces,  p.26 296v territories and citties, As otherwyse speakinge of the reformation and restitution of divers comon wealds allmost extinguished (by evill governement) and yet by the wyse, in a small tyme brought againe to theire pristinate and former obedyence, but such a languishinge vlcer, befallen in this kinges county that you treate of (and no reformacion for all those losses and myseries sustaigned, I never yet readde of. And yet happely it is no merveile¦ for I thinck there was neither bandes nor pledges, taken of the Irish lordes and gentillmen, (ouerthwarft neighbours to the English and other good subiectes dwellinge vnder them: neither for the maynteigninge of her maiesties peace: nor for the securitie and preservacion of theire lyves and goodes: by which meanes they might haue bene forced to serve agaynst the enemy: but I perceaue the dempsies, the doynes and omoloyes (and especially the latter two septes (are another themselues) for they still accomodate the rebelles in all theire proceedinges.

Peregryn

Truly brother, thou shootest nere the marke, for in all the tyme that I was there (which was vntill the spoyle of good burrough of Phillipstowne. And country aboute it, the care of the same was so litle reguarded, that neither pledges nor bandes of the borderers was taken except a litle boy of Callogh McArte Omoloyes formerly intreated of: who was brought vpp for a moneth or two at scole at Croghan with Sir Thomas Moore who married his grandmother but at Tirrelles next comminge into the country gaue his custos the slipp: anmd went to the forrest.

Silvyn

It is no mervaiele though that country goe to wrack, as it doth, when such careles gouernment is emongst them, but I pray you what aucthors did that youinge novice reed duringe his aboade at Croghan, for I doubt not, but there was greate care taken of his well doinge.

Peregryn

Truly I know not as yet, but if he take after Donell Omoloyes sonnes (which are his bretheren by the mother syde, he will quickly be owt of his birdinge pece, which he must first vse, for fowle for the kitchin, the next aucthor must bee caliuer boare, to learne to skirmish hande to hand, and the thirde aucthor must fully furnish him for horse and foote, and one of his foster brothers to carry his currior, and then is hee armed to hunt for the comon game of the country, as his father and kyndred on that syde did before him.

Silvyn

I well perceaue, that there are so many of those scollers brought vp in that Realme: that vnles the lorde vouchsafe, to assist vs with his mighty hand, the scollers will be to harde for their masters, well proceede.

Peregryn

Now brother I will match you with an excellent bludd hownde, who neuer gaue ouer huntinge, untill he was knockt in the headde with a halter.

Silvyn

A faier deathe in that country¦ I pray you what is his name, and what be his actes.

Peregryn

Within some fower or fyve daies, after Tirrells departure, being aboute the last of September 1597 in commeth Thomas base gerraldyne, beinge accompanied with the worthy kinge Obroane (euery knaues follower) havinge some CCth scorpions in their comepanie, and he Seignour bastard, playeth rex in the poore countrie of Aphaley (havinge neither protection nor pardonne, and the garrysonne being but Captain Cowlies hundreth: durst not venter vppon them, in respect of theire chardge of the forte and towne, and when he had pawnched himself, and his, with victualles mony and spoyle, he poasted from thence I cared not whither.

Silvyn

I protest unto thee brother. I doe much mervaiele, how either rich or poore, can houlde owt where such extorcion is vsed: and I pray you what bignes is Aphaley > p.28 297v where the English and theire tenantes lyveth.

Peregryn

I take it to be aboute tenne myle in length, east and west and in breadth north and south fyve myles.

Silvyn

Alas poore people, I haue readde of a cittie, that hath bene more then somuch grownde and well envyroned with a stronge wall. I coulde wish the honest subiect so well fencid, as for the hollow harted companions, my care is no so much (for I compare them but to droanes. Well now to a freash chardge, for I gesse you haue matter enough for a moneth at leaste.

Peregryn

After that folish hardy bastards departure, about the middle of January 1597, in commeth the three Murtoghes and Teig McMurrough Oconnors, with the puissant king Obroane, who beareth rule and aucthoritie in the courtes of all fower quartered devilles.

Silvyn

I pray you before you goe forwarde with the rest, tell me, what is that king obrone, for he is in every mans company, it should seeme that his protection is generall.

Peregryn

Now truly brother you know him allmost aswell as my self for if you be remembered, he was in comepany with us, at the herraulds aboute some six yeares sithence, and woulde haue had the gentillman to drawe forthe his armes, and he woulde content him largely for his paynes. Wherevppon the herrald was contented and required his name, and what countryman he was: he toulde him he was borne in Ireland, and his name was Daniell Raleigh, wherevppon the gentleman willed dubble diligence his servaunt to fetch his bookes: Well Sir quoth king Obrone for that I haue much besynes otherwyse: I will send a frende of myne for them (whom you knowe) who shall se you well satidfied for the doinge of them: who went for them at his request and paid the gentleman, but he kepeth them as yet in  p.29 298r pawne for his mony (and so will doe whylest doomes day) yet after his conscience accusinge him, that he had geven the herald a wronge name, at his cominge into Ireland goeth in hand to Vlster kinge at Armes there. But when he had receaued his former name. Nay quoth he¦ Seignior Daniell, I must needs tell you that there must be a C added to your surname for there are no Raleighs where you were borne, but Crawleighs and they were cheife notheards to McMahownd, and gaue the Clubb with the furred leather mittonnes, in a could frostie fields, at which could enterteignement, the clubb killed a gentellman, so that he never visited Mr herrald vntill his dying day.

Silvyn

Now I remember the varlet well, for he was sometyme Sir John Norres his foteboy, then came from him to the Prince of Parma and was his sworne man and then I thinck he served Sir George Bowrchier but what caused the villaigne to play the rebell in Ireland.

Peregryn

You haue hit him pat, the cause of his startinge owt (as was alledged agaynst him, that he should supply Brian Reogh with powder leade, match, and other wantes, for he was matcht with one of Omoloyes where that traytor dayly haunted, vpon which Sir Henry Warren then sherif, ceazed vppon all his goodes, but missed himself, and then he shewed, a faier paiere of heeles, and fled into England, and fyndinge small comforte there went ouer into Irelande againe privilie, as honest a man as he went and takinge the advauntage of the tyme aforesaid, enriched himself with the sweate of other mens browes: and when he saw his companions declyninge (havinge filled his purse (with the help of M-r Lucre) procured his pardonne, but neuer durst ask Mr Sherif for his goodes for feare of an after reconinge.

Silvyn

Well I perceaue the worlde is naught in those partes, but because the same teig mc murrough standeth by him self, it shoulde seeme he hath bene a travayler and what was his facultie as you harde.

Peregryn

This is one of the moste daungerouse villaignes that euer was harde of, and bothe he and the other haue passed muster, many a faier yeare togither, and in his noneage cometh into England (as a greate many other of his countreymen doe, and diuers yeares footed it owt with many a geldinge, but in the ende, havinge a months mynde to his country of libertie, (as some say) robbed his master bothe of his apparrell and goulde with other wealthe, and poasteth homewardes, and beinge arryved at Phillipstowne, entred into pay forthwith with Sir George Bowrchier, and not longe after marryed an honest woman in that towne, beinge tempted with his goulden pictures, of which he had some stoare, and so contynved some six or seaven yeares, vntill these broyles began, and for that he was one of the right stamppe: he was receaiued by his cosen vermaigne with greate ioye: but this southerne spirit was not inferiour, to any whatsoeuer to play the collector, for fiftie or threescore powndes a moneth was nothinge with this mate, as he woulde crake himself: he had levyed vppon the countries for his owne purse, for this is that villaigne that betrayed Rathangan in the county of Kildare: but yet by the way one fegarie he played, is not to be forgotten.

Silvyn

I pray thee tell me that, and then ende with the varlet.

Peregryn

Uppon a certayne tyme in this theire black progresse, this divellish desciple, with some other of his fraternitie at his comaunde, came to one Redmondes ffraynes, who beinge apprentice in London, after his yeares expyred marryed, an English woman, and kepeth a victuallinge house, at a church towne called Killucan in the terrytory of forbell, and there ceassinge himself and his, beinge more boulde then wellcome, after that they had dyned with soade, roaste, wyne aquavitie, and other licoure, This blasinge varlet, demaunded forty shillinges of the poore honest woman: she awnswered him, she had no money, thou lyest, quoth he for there is  p.31 299r neither Englishman nor Englishwoman, that is borne in Englande, but will forsweare themselues for a halfpenny, it is not well said of you murrough quoth ffraayne, to sclaunder the English, for they are people, that stande alltogither vppon theire credittes from the lowest to the highest, and we haue no mony to giue you, for we were preade, robbed and spoyled not longe sithence: with that the Impudent varlet, sware a greate oathe, that if she woulde give him no mony, hee woulde roaste her vppon a spitt at the fyer¦ (vppon which the poore man and woman, beinge driven to that extremitie (and assured of no rescue, were forcid to give the reprobate, that small remaigne they had, and glad they were, so to be rid of those scorpions.

Silvyn

And hath not the gallowes, eaten vpp, that caterpiller of a comon wealth as yet¦

Peregryn

I perceaue brother you are somewhat forgetfull, for I toulde you not longe sithence (he betrayed Rathanghan: which was many moneths afterwardes but in the meane tyme he had as a good a carde at a pintch (as Rawleigh had: for when he sawe his consortes declyninge, he being armed at the full, with the threasure of the subiect: bothe he and others of that vnblessed crewe (beinge somewhat interladed lykewyse, with the help of the said M-r Lucre, were receaued in, as though the service had bene greate, to draw them from the enemy, and so had theire pardonnes with small labour.

Silvyn

Oh brother¦ a man may smell: this counterfeit devocion to to far of¦ but proceede to the Murtaghs.

Peregryn

These three mighty fyerbrandes, viz murtogh og mcTirlagh, murtagh Mcowen and murtogh mc liese with the forstallinge vypers, and many other cangrenaes to the nomeber of CCCCth and aboue overspreadde all the weste parte of Aphaley: many of the chiefest hellhowndes, well knowne to haue lived vppon her maiesties pay a longe tyme and these put men to fynes, and toke all at theire pleasures, as mony beofe, muttonne, porke horse hackney, garrandes, mault, brewinge pannes,  p.32 299v Clothe in the loome and owt of the loome, nothinge cometh amis to them whatsoeuer. And then for want of the premisses, they take in pledge men, women, maydes and younge children, for rawnsome. For they openly said all was theire owne. The chiefest devill of that cursed rabble was murtogh og mc tirloagh, and he fynes all men at his pleasure, and where harbrayne his harbinger had billetted the rest of the forlorne spirittes, he with some vii score of his chiefest caterpillers, draweth to one Mr Fluddes, an anctient fatherly gentillman, of some fowerscore and seaven yeares of age: havinge bene as tall a man, bothe of personne and valure as any of his place, that euer servid her maiestie or her predecessors in his tyme. And there hee & his vnblessed crewe devoured no small stoare of victualles (vsinge suche scoffes and mockes, towardes that fatherly gentillman, that it would haue made the stony harte relent. but he so manfully bare it owt, that he was a terror, vnto those caterpillers to behoulde his countenaunce: but emongst all. one of the scoffinge spirittes said to him, you haue bene a tirreble fellowe when you were yoinge, I did serve in fraunce said hee: when the best of your kynne woulde haue bene glad of my frendshipp, and now if my boddy were awnswereable to my harte I might scarcely endure to be thus hardely delt with. Well quoth the master devill: Mr ffludd we haue delt with you in more easier sorte, then with some of your neighbours, for I haue suffered neither mony to be taken, myner to dig for salt peeter, nor dyver to looke into hutch. And for our good chiere we hartely thancke you. but fo all these smooth weluelyke speeches, If Mr ffludd had not caused his mynicion to have bene carried into his castell, and that a litle before, three of his coniaringe spirittes had warrant from the master devill, to carry away all his muskettes and caliuers, that were in the hall.

Silvyn

Here is a kynde of domynieringe in deed, I ensuer you it was pittie that such an anctient father should haue dwelt in such a romoat place  p.33 300r in his oulde daies, to be thus vsed., but I pray you whose scoller was that Master devill & where was he brought vp.

Peregryn

He plaid his scoller pryce, vnder Sir Henry duke, that worthy gentillman, againste her maiesties enemies in the northe with many other of that vnblessed crew and his provoast prynce vnder his sonne in law Capten Gifforde in Connaght, where he receaued many a hungrie veany (but the dyet and enterteignement for such scvmme of libertynes, was all to good, but he and his associattes, thinckinge that to scarce a countrie, for theire capten (and retourned into Aphaley, where my master devill, expert in all kynde of villainies forsooke his alleadgeance, and plaid his master pryce in that country, against her highnes and her good subiectes.

Silvyn

I haue said enough of my adder breeders before, but what did this miscreant then.

Peregryn

Marry this graunde devill, vnderstandinge, that moste of the poore tenantes of those partes were fledd into Phillipstowne from the malice of those libertynes, he sendeth his currour  ⁴ o the burrough master and to lieutenant Rushen, to sende them away to theire dwellinge places, with speede where for doinge the contrary he woulde vse his extremitie vppon the towne. A wofull thinge god wot, when the Quenes garrysone towne coulde not be a sufficient sanctuary, to defend the subiect from the handes of the wicked, god of his goodnes, relieue our deere bretheren and sisters in chryste there dwellinge, when he shall se tyme.

Silvyn

Why brother this is a diabulo magnifico indeede, for he excelles in his villany, and I perceaue no body durst fynde fault with his protection, for I see it was generall by his retinew (if there were a thousand hoales in it, but what haue we donne with him

Peregryn

I haue allmoste done with him for tyme, but yet by the way, some of his unblessed rabble, forgot to not to visit poore Mr Luther, he havinge neither mony, meate, nor any thinge else to giue them, a way went his plough of garrondes, his brewinge panne, his tenantes w/vyves, all stranungers cattell, vppon his lande (for all his owne except those garrondes was gon before.

Silvyn

Nay I thinck that poore gentillman, had not much left, for I remember (he was allmost cleane shaued by Teig Reogh Odoyne, and his night croes, when Tirrell departed, I pray you end with him.

Peregryn

After dynner tyme on Soneday and revell tyme past in the countrie, these Imps of evill drew towardes the poore burrough, and vnderstandinge by some dishonest varlettes that the gates of the towne were shut against them, the master devell sent graceles his expedicioner, to the burrough master and Lieutenant Rushen: that if they woulde not condiscende, to let him and his comepany passe through the town, he woulde enter the towne perforce. Well the comepany of the caterpillers were so greate that our hartes were in our heeles and glad to suffer them, to passe thorough the key of the country into dempsies countruy, but they in theire passinge, vsed the most villanous wordes that might bee, and proferringe theire peces against her maiesties fortes, to the greate grief of the honest subiect that stood by (my self by chaunce being then in the towne, the garrysones soldiers got wot half naked, and many of them sick, and allmoste starved got them to the forte, and so far this tyme I leaue him to his master Lucifer.

Silvyn

Now truly brother, I neuer saw, readde nor hard of a greater disorder in a country then there is but suerly there must needes be some privy packing where there is so greate a shofelinge: bit I trust we are past the worst.

Peregryn

No not by odds as shall appere by the sequels  p.35 301r for when the poore countrie, had thought to haue bene rid from further trouble, the same day seu'night after, in cometh the Camelion Donogh Poape, who hath as many names as that beaste hath cullours, and he with that Barrabas Morris oge, and a nomeber of Basiliskes from all partes as namely the Pharralles nay Marralles  ⁵ with many backslyders of murtogh oge mc Tirlaghes. And he master Camelion, directeth a sharpe letter to the burrough master, to sende forthe all the tenauntes of the parish of kill, or els he woulde worke wonders vppon the poore burrough. Well comaundment was presently given that they must avoyde the towne, and submit themselues into the tygres handes, for there was no sanctuary for them: And so this archvilliagne and his so play theire pageantes, that they farre exceede all the former protected customers, for threescore of his forreigne spirites, beinge appointed by senceles his ceasser, to repaier to Mr Fluddes, vnder one of theire owne name and country, named Donogh Reogh O Pherrall: At theire first cominge not as demaunderes of victuall, but as comaunders of others mens goodes: willed the said Mr Fludd and his sonne to open his gates and to place them with speede, at which wordes the ould man tould them, that they were strangers vnto him, and besydes that, all his stoare was consvmed with former companies. At which the ringleader comaunded his miscreantes to dischardge a volew of shot at Mr Fludd and his people which was quickly performed, but as god woulde, did them no harme, and so the ould man escaped into his rvynous castell., and stood at his defence: for those forreigne varletes had entred his bawne in which bickeringe on of the Pheralles was hurte to the deathe (which those hippocriticall vipers dissymuling, grew to a parley with the ould man and the reste. And for that say they, there is no harme done on either syde, we shall desyer you to imparte vnto with such victuall as you may well afforde. And vppon our faythes, no farther harme neither in boddie or goodes shalbe done to you or any of yours, and therevppon, tooke the holy evaungelist  p.36  301v The witnes of salvacion or dampnacion and sware. The good ould man, thinckinge he had delt with Christians (and for avoydinge of farther mischief cam forthe of his castell, makinge them better chiere, then they were worthy of, and when supper was ended: my periurat infernalles pervented the good ould man, froim goinge into his castell, And was glad as oule as he was, to ly in his cloathes all night (god knoeth an unfit servinge man, to attende on so wicked a crewe but when morninge cam, breakfast was not fogottoen, after which to make their hoaste amendes, for theire good chiere, in steadd of yealdinge thanckes, they take him prisoner, with all the spoyle of his house and towne (withowt his castell) a thinge of no small moment, tendinge to the distruction of all his whole ffamely, being many in nomeber, and allthough they toke from him, fyve horsses and hacknies with many garrondes, yet in the spight and derogacion of the English, they mounted him vpon a poore garrounde (the verry worst emongst many, they had taken from him, And so with owt hat on his headde, or shooes on his feete, his freese gowne aboute him, his bare feete allmost towchinge the grownde., in moste filty weather, carried him this moste anctient servitour of her maiestie, and her Awncestors, aboute the country, as if one of theire lyke had gon to a hanginge. With such scoffes, scornes, tawntes, and mockes that it woulde haue made the stony harte to yielde.

Silvyn

A moste lamentable mistry, what thraldome may be worse, to a people conquerors of kingdomes and renowned throughout the worlde then this is, to see our deere bretheren thus contynually vexed, by their vassalles, and no reformacion had, now I ensuer thee brother, it maketh my Intrailes, to turne in my boddy, but I pray thee whither did these pharises, carry that good ould father.

Peregryn

Not to Anna and Caiphas, for thy are part away longe agon, but to the camelion, and the second Barrabas.

Silvyn

And what entereignement had he at those wicked Iudges handes.

Peregryn

When that they had brought him before those bluddy butchers, Mr Donogh Reogh O Pherall nor none of his trayne neede not to declare against him, for those two Crocodilles, had slept vppon the matter, beinge the directors of the tragedy themselues. And beganne not as vassalles as the oulde man had sene them (in whose pryme not many such reprobates coulde abyde his countenaunce to reprehende his sayinge¦ that he had demeaned himself verry ill, in nor gevinge meate and drinck to such as they had sent, And toulde him, that if hee would not put in his sonne or some of his sonnes children in pledg with them, vntill the man hurte might be recouered, he shoulde stay with them himself. Which the ould father manfully accepted, alledginge that he coulde not live longe by course of nature, and the lesser tyme in that plight, And protested that rather then he woulde put in any hostadge as aforesaid, he had rather suffer death the which: the Iudasses perceavinge., that they coulde wrest no more from him, grew to councell and beinge resolued in the ende. for that such a combersome carridge, woulde be an Impediment to theire longe Iourney, to tourne him home agayne, with the hurt man. With especiall chardge to se him well cured. to which agreement the ould man condiscended: And for that the spirit had so faier a wounde, he was so farer healed, that he saved Mr Fludd, a greate deale of chardges, for he breathed forth his ultimum vale the next morninge. Vppon which¦ Slipwith his boy posted to the luciferians to tell them what had befallen, wherevpon theire Mr Chirurgian was called for, and mightely reproued, in tellinge them, there was no cause of death in theire spirit, and then grew mightely discontented that they had let the ould man go. Yet notwithstandinge that they had pread and spoyled him as before, and no restitucion made of one pennyworth that he had lost, were not  p.38 302v ashamed to wryte vnto him by runwell theire receauer, to send them by him a hundreth markes forthwith, for the losse of theire spirit, Adding that it was a small Imposicion, consideringe the greatenes of the party deceassed: A good world when such a cupple of moaths, which deserued the wither longe sithence, shoulde set fynes and taxes, vppon her maiesties true subiectes at such a rate. Whereas if the twenty parte of every mans substance, had bene delivered by the owners, into her maiesties cofers, either by way of subsidie or loane for a tyme, and every man reasonably rated, that dwelled in the civell places of the ealme (might haue bene sufficient if well employed) to haue bannished all those caterpillers before they had taken headd, but now allmoste, every rascal, churle, cowhearde and rvnnagate thorough that Realme, carieth weapon, and giveth ouer the plough and breeding of cattell, the two principall pillers of that kingdome. So that whereas they shoulde haue bene comaunded and governed as vassalles, they are now growne alltogither, a warlyke people, the edge of whose weapones, are not sharpened in the behalfe of theire soueraigne, against foreign foes, but alltogiether bent and tendinge, to the subuersion of her highnes, her kingdome and subiectes, I pray god that these thinges, may be better lookt into hereafter, then spoken of least all goodnes cometh Antragh, as the Irish proverbe is to late.

Silvyn

Well brother, as thou formerly touldst mee, I should here of more notable and cunninge knaves in theire facultie, the farther wee proceeded, but I pray you did the ould man sende them a hundreth markes.

Peregryn

If he did it was vppon a stick, for his contynuall chardge of houskeepinge, was to greate to be moouyed: yet vppon the misvsadge of this oulde gentillman, the Lord Lieutenant came into the country, to see the estat of thinges there, & so departed to Dublin.

Silvyn

What haue we done with the vipers for I thinck we cannot here of worse.

Peregryn

Yes by oddes, for now begynneth the bluddy and fyery serpentes to play theire partes, but first will I pack these rascalles away, omittinge what a nomeber of villanies, were comitted by them at Clonecreill and other places there aboutes, which is the perfixed day, they allwaies obserue to worke theire treacheries, after they had dischardged Mr ffludd they poasted to Croghan, where I doubt not Sir Thomas Moores purse was the weaker and his tenauntes the worser, what revell they kept vppon the lande of Balleybrittaigne, Balleyburleigh and Coulcor, with exacting of mony, takeing vpp of beoues, and other achates the spoyle was so greate, that I cannot set it downe to my lykinge. And so for this tyme I comende them and theires to theire Master Lucyfer to whom after pawnches and purses full they poasted. And lykwyse with a crosse caper the good thinck to the gallowes, the bastard Thomas Fitzgerald (to become acquanynted with the master of worldely misrule, addresseth himself with them, to the lande of Horeb, he hearinge so greate a reporte of that goulden calf and what his no good busynes is there to be done, for this tyme I recomend both himself, his cursed abettors, maynteigners and receauers, to the tuicion of Antechrist, whom those wicked desciples doe dayly adoare

Silvyn

What a sorte of blynd foulded vermyne be theise that cannot discerne god from mammon, the good from the bad, were not they a greate deale better to serve her maiestie, against her fforeigne enemies then thus traitorusly to kick against theire soueraigne, for I perceaue it is such a country of liberty, that the moste parte vuse no honest meanes to live. Well proceede.

Peregryn

The soneday seu'night followinge, which is the perfixed day they observe, to the contempt of god, theire prince and all good christians (as sabaoth  p.40 303v breakers the aforesaid murtogh roagh with a multitude of scorpions entreth the country agayne, and playeth theire pageantes so well: as if thye had allready taken livery and seasonne of that country same. To throwe her maiesties graunte by act of parliament, into the pit of oblivion, and her naturall subiectes, who had the gift of theire possessions as aforesaid, into the whoat furnace of distruction, as by the sequeale may and shall appere, for after they had ceassed themselues thoroughowt all partes of the barony of Phillipstowne: they forgot not to hawnt Mr Henry Phillips of Clounato with a crewe of dampned Tirrell the Apostates comepany: beinge by him left behinde to trouble that country, and they so bestirre themselues therein, and that in manner wiekly, that they haue eaten that poore gentillman to his bare castell walles, and happy turne he had that escaped with his lyfe. But emongst many of thoese pageauntes plaied emongst those Roystinge Roughes at that place (this is not to be forgotten, for one Shane Ballogh, a scolefellow of teig mc murroughes, woulde not vouchsaue to come into the gentillmans house, emongst the rest of those vypers, to eate his vndue Quidd  ⁶ but he must haue the gentillmans sonne, and his kinsman, sente forthe to be kept, with his inferior spirittes, for the better securitie of his vnworthy horseboyes personne.

Silvyn

What a mockery is this, for now I perceaue, that moste of all the chiefest of these caterpillers haue nourished and brought vp as scvllions and horseboyes by many of those partes, and growinge vpp to be past theire papps, are by them entrid as supplymentes into shorte bandes, and there brought vpp at scoole, vntill they canne skillfully handle theire weapons, at her maiesties no small charges, and then apt to fight against her self and subiectes but I will comforte some of those nourishers, with this rude verse:

Self doe, Self haue,
Downe master, Starte vp knave

 p.41 304r

Peregryn

Belieue me brother you you will make a prettie poet and learne to shute nere the marke before the story is done.

Silvyn

Well haue yuu done with theise Gallymauffry knaves.

Peregryn

I euen now. I will pack them away for a tyme but yet I had allmoste forgotten one trick of youth shewed by Shane horsboy, for the same villaigne to make the saide Mr Phillips amendes for his good chiere the next soneday followinge, visited him againe and then beinge denyed meate, in respect of his often resorte, made no greate parlinge, but for his farewell, saluted the gentillman with a volew of shot (at the castell chamber windowe (a verry good peace I warrant you) but allthough he and his vypers counde get no victualles, yet in liew thereof, he toke away from him, and his tenauntes the nomber of fiftene garrondes, and caried them cleare away to his graunde Seignour Murtogh oge mcTirlagh, who then lyke a mightly prince of darknes with the forstallinge vypers were no small fooles at Croghan. And so from thence they poasted to Castell Jourdane to visit Gentle Gifforde.

Silvyn

Good brother, tell me is that Mr Phillips one of the mighty pillers of that country: it shoulde seeme so to me, that had rather imparte with xv garrondes then giue them a meales meate?

Peregryn

Allthough his lyvinge be of the leaste assyse in the countrue (yet spoken by an Irroince) he is supposed to be as greate as any in Aphaley.

Silvyn

Now truly because I came in with my stillyarde verse, you will requyte me with a leaden hall fygure I pray thee be playne with me, for otherwyse I shall breake my chynish wittes aboute it, but stay? I haue fownde it, in one of the vaultes of my furthest hollow tooth, and as I take the sence he is the mightiest man of personadge in that country.

Peregryn

In truth brother if you measure your cloathes nor gage your rennesh wynes no better, both you and your  p.42 304v man filtcher may goe to Stirbridge faier at our next Lady Day, and cry a new master a new, for he is a spare fellowe able (but that it vnfittinge for him or them to lye in some of the greate ones bellies: for he is a man that walketh the Quenes maiesties high way: and more estemeth a dramme of his honesty and credit, then to trace a dissemblers galliard, for a shipfull of riches: and therefore your interpretacion is cleane byas. For his goulde is neither clipt nor washt, but beareth his full weight, and so will the enemy themselues reporte, and therein is he greater then many of the mighty ones in that Countrie, and in token thereof, that he woulde not giue them their willes, he hath made them dawnce trenchmore ouer the river harde by his castell, beinge in dainger to be drowned, three severall tymes and forsake the way ouer his bridge.

Silvyn

I confes my self, to haue erred, for I tooke naturall for morall, well I hope we haue done with the reprobates.

Peregryn

Now entreth in the bluddy vypers never open actors in this tragedy before, And for lack of other worke, Nicholas Tutes death must needs be staned on, for notwithstandinge the losse of all his howses, cattell and corne he must not live any longer to follow the suite against these adversaries of her maiestie and himself, whose terror is so greate (withowt exception) that it maketh the mountaignes to quiuer and shake but may I be so boulde as to name the murderers.

Silvyn

Yes brother, I warrant you may well enough¦ for here in London, is neither costermonger, gardyner, nor plasterer of their kynne, for I haue harde themelues say, that they come moste owt of the counties of Kilkenny, Waterforde, Cork, and Limberick.

Peregryn

Well then three of them were one Dermoud James O Dempsy his sonnes of Baleynekill within two myles of p.43 305r Phillipstowne, named Shane Lisagh and Edmonde and the forthe was one Murrough McDonogh O Connor a cosen vermaigne by the mother side vnto them, who lyke moste vnkynde barrabasses, vppon the thirde of February 1597 assaulted the said Nicholas Tute in a towne of his owne, that he ffarmed of Mr Dempsy, whom that forstallinge vyper Cormick Og O Dempsy had made challendge to before, called Raphestoune and there in moste cruell sorte, and agaynst all Christian and humayne law, or naturall affection he beinge maryed to theire nere kinswoman, murdered the said Nicholas, he beinge a man that euer offended any of them, to the countries knowledge. And after the fact doen, lyke mighty conquerors as though they atchieued some notable enterpryse, were receaiued by Terence McTeig O Connor at his towne of Balleynemoney, from whence they that morninge before the murder comitted, cam, and were receaiued by hin and two others of theire kinsmen with greate ioy, for atchievinge of so graceles a piece of worke.

Silvyn

I had allwaies thinck that that forstallinge spirit Cormick Oge O Dempsy forsooke not his cave but to worke some private mans distruction, for it shoulde seme aswell by his and his fellowes, burning of the said Tutes townes, when they were in comepany with Brian Reogh, as making chalendge to his towne, that he maligned him: and by all lyklehood was the originall cause of his death. but I pray you was it possible for the murderers to carry away so greate fact vnpvnished.

Peregryn

Now I pray who durst looke out a doares that was willinge to follow them, not one I warrant you for feare of Intrappinge, but marke what a gallant Terrence Mc Teige O Connor was for he standinge still vppon poyntes of peace, vnder cullor whereof, he wilbe no loser, and to prove him to be the same hippocriticall varlet before expressed, doe but looke into his  p.44 305v Iuglinge and se how netwise he cloaketh his knavery, for havinge lycence, from the lorde Lieutenant Generall, to take vpp some tenne or twelue kerne, to augment his nomeber which he had in her maiesties pay to serue against the enemy, I pray you of whom did he first make his choyce, forsooth of the fower murtherers and of the said Cormick Og O Dempsy theire abettor.

Silvyn

Now there is a knave semper in deede there is no doubt but he woulde doe good service to her maiesty with that crew: where is it possible for him to fynde an enemy of a worsser sorte then himself, and those bluddy butchers are. Well I pray you proceede for I am weary to here any more of them.

Peregryn

It was a wonder to see, that notwithstandinge it was manyfest, and an open thinge to the worlde what mighty somes of mony, hath bene there exacted by those base borne villaignes, what preas of cattell, spoyles of corne, victualles and other goodes (byesydes theire burninges) taken from the gentillmen and inhabitantes of that poore distressed Aphaley since the begynninge of the troubles cannot amounte in value to lesse, then six thowsandes VC powndes (A particuler note whereof, was presented to the Erle of Ormonde which by chaunce, cam to my handes to haue a view thereof (in which Sir Edwarde harbertes losses were not incerted., beinge owt of the tyme of that note: and for certaine he and his tenantes coulde not leese lesse then worthe MM markes at the leaste, Yet for all this that towardly gentillman, Capten Gifforde (in this poynt (leaue bias) must entermeddle to be murtogh oge mc tirlaghes conducter to kilkenny to the Lord Lieutenant Generall, to procure a further protection, for him and a nomeber of his caterpillers (and who must be speedely smoothered and thrust in) but the murtherers of Nicholas Tute with theire abetter Cormick Og O Dempsy and his crew: which was done by the instant labour of Terence Mc Teige  p.45 306r O Connor, what neede the wicked care what owtrage they comitt, when some of the mighty ones be the first that bothe will speake and doe for them.

Silvyn

It is verry strange, that a man of his birthe & parentage (and one whose profession is martiall, will not rather advaunce himself to procure theire banneshment by way of armes., his chardge beinge by her maiesty, bestowed vppon him to that ende, then so to become an vphoulder and contynvner of so wicked a broode: who tendeth nor meaneth nothinge els, but distruction to him and the lyke for theire labour: And I ensuer if it were my case (allthough happely the gentillman is free) I shoulde thinck that my neighbors coulde do no otherwyse, but haue me in greate iealosy, that I should saue myne owne stake by my neighbors losses.

Peregryn

Now truly brother what the gentillmans inwarde purpose or purpose was I know not, but I haue credibly assured: that there was asmuche valure, in that litle carcas of his, either tryable on horsback or one foote, as may be part vp in so sclender a moulde: but in fyne it will fall owt, that he brought vp a snake to stinge himself.

Silvyn

Then happely it proceedeth, but of youth, and ill councell, and no Impeachment to his credit, if he leave of the lyke offices in tyme, for feare of an aftr reconninge, for as the oulde proverbe is, it is not for nothinge, the cat wincked when her eyese were owt, and as much good will and amitie, ought to be betwene the honest subiect, and those forlorne libertynes (if it be well construed) as frendshipp betwene the hownde and the hare. But I smell he will pay for his zeale, before we haue ended.

Peregryn

Well good brother if you will walk home to my lodginge, I will bestowe a pece of muttonne and a capon on  p.46 306v you and perhaps as good a cvpp of sack as you dranck, this many a day.

Silvyn

I will not refuse your offere, allthough, the mocion shoulde haue come from mee, but both the fare and company is far better, then your Ireland Lucyfer hath, for all his dronken deominieringe, for as I here say, he must be in traunce once a day or els his licour faieles him.

Peregryn

In this you erre not brother, for it is his profession once in a day, to be of the culler of the Carnalles hat withowt Newgate, but I woulde we had him, in the Gaylors keeping there, and then I trust we should call him to accompt for all his former transgressions.

Silvyn

Now brother is all our tragicall discourses ended yet.

Peregryn

I haue but even now, newly entred into them for now my revyninge spirites, the bastard Giraldyne, Donogh Poape, Morrish Oge, Roarey Oge Omeloy of the Pallace and Donnogh Reogh O Pherrall with some CCC vypers, havinge bene with theire Master Lucifer, who hath caused one of Antechruste his Chapleynes, to dispence with them, aswell for all former synnes and offences, by them comitted, as for all other, of what nature, sorte or condicion soeuer they may or shalbe, and by them or any of theire vypers, acted or comitted hereafter, to be frustrate, voyde & none effect in their demonicall law, and so vppon receapte of the said dispenacion with their comission at harmes, they repaire to Aphaley, where they arryved, the iiii of march 1597.

Silvyn

I am affraid that those sathanistes, come for a farther revenge against the ould man, therefore I pray you proceede.

Peregryn

And first you shall vnderstande, that Lucyfer neuer lyethe Idyle, but even as the roaringe and hungrie lyon, disapointed of his prea, seeketh and courseth throughout all his abydinges, to suffice his hungrie maw, neither sparinge the innocent lambe, the kid, the ewe, the weather, the hee and shee goate, the cow, the ox, the horse the garronde, or any other beaste that is to his lykinge. For nothinge cometh amis, to so cruel a ravenour. As for ensample, I must needes nowe declare vnto thee, one of the moste dolefullest tragedies, that hath bene lightly sene or harde or spoken, either in Europa, Asia, Affrica or the new founde America, for after those reprobates, with a nomeber of those Infidelles, beinge receaued into the favour of theire master of the northe (notwithstanding the articles of peace concluded and agreed vppon betwene the lorde lieutenant generall and his demonicall dishonour (accordinge his wonted treachery, addresseth those fyery allcumistes, privy myners, and invesable vypers to coniure themselues in whole heardes, rysinge behynde, that moste serviceable peere beinge now gon downe northward agayne vppon a latter intreaty. To abate as it were his demaundes, on her maiesties behalf for the securitie of her realme and honor, furnishinge those hellybrandes, with powder in small caske, match in bedsackes, and bullets in succet barrelles (a plague take his unworthynes for his labour) and they beinge so furnisht, lyke Sir Thorollo de Listra, who in one night, was conveyed by an easterne spirit, at the comaundment of Salendyne of Soria, from Acres to Pavia but not for so good an intent as Sir Thorello was, ivmps the  p.48 307v fourthe of march aforesaid beinge saterday to Mr Fluddes of Killclonfert (what they were that met with theise infernalles by the way and gaue them a parley, let the worlde iudge if, for there is not tymber sufficient in that woodlande country, to make blockes to lay in theire way, but now to come to the matter, with greate grief of harte I speake it, and I am suer with as much sorrow of mynde thou wilt heare it, for after those scvm of cannyballes, were come to the towne, they besiedged his castell forthwith, in which was himself, his sonne, his sonnes wyfe with theire fower sonnes and two daughter, and a sonne and a daughter of David Fluddes his youing sonne servinge vnder the governor of Connaght, the rest beinge tweo of Capten Henry Cowlies soldiers with his owne servauntes, tenantes and frendes, amounting in nomeber to about threscore and fiftene personnes, (men, weomen and children ( the which the basterd Giraldyne beinge chief in commission, with those vnblessed crew of Traytors and murderers, (who not contented with any manner of reasonne or offer made vnto them, ceassed not to assault the said parties with swode, bullet and fyer: (beinge not aboue CCth men stronge besydes, rascalles boyes and churles (& yet permitted by the country and garrysonne, bothe in the day and night tyme to make good the siedge., not once barkinge or shewinge themselues anymated to rayse so viperous a generacion, from so wicked and graceles a pece of Threasonne, which no doubt, if there had bene any sparke of neighbourhoode or valure emongst them (those poore Christians had not so wickedly bene burned, scourched, and massacred, how canne any personne dwellinge within the precinct of that country, looke for rescue or hoape to be relieued by others, when they themselues haue thus vnchristianlyke demeaned themselues, towardes theire deere bretheren and sisters in Chryste, And yet to agravate one synne vppon another those bluddy butchers, not contented with the death of a nomeber, two poore infantes of the ould mans sonne hughs named ffraunces and Jeffry ffludd, and as it should seeme came forth of some sypke hoale of the castell, from the  p.49 308r Terror of the fyer, which poore children cryinge to those mercyles butchers for mercy, were in a moment, and contrary to all naturall affection and pitty, beinge assisted with the hartes of Bellyall, (whom they serve, hwed in peeces. What may the poore English (I meane not the hollow harted companion, that theire are dwellinge, hope or thinck to receaue, at the handes of those vngracious barrabasses (but euen the lyke measure, for worse they cannot, if such abhomynable massacres may goe vnpunished, what neede any the lyke care what owtrage they comit.

Silvyn

I ensuer you brother those homicides exceede the tygre in his cruelty, for the beastes owtradge proceedes of nature, and those Luciferians, the greater and more heynouser that theire wicked enterpryses are the more pryde and vaynglory, they attribute to themselues, as though they were artificiall ministers in theire bluddy and fyery profession, cesse not to furthe any villany that may breede the English subiectes confusion, as for the gentillmen and others before, I haue daid so much agaynst allready that I leaue theire demeanors to be censured by others. But I pray you what strength of soldiers was in the towne, for I am suer that woefull tragedy was not comitted, owt of their sight and hearinge: and I mervaiele what escuse they had for themselues, that they neuer made a bravado, (for a servitieur could neuer hit vppon a fitter opportvnitie to haue gayned reputaction in his lyfe.

Peregryn

Now truly brother the place was not fully three English myles from Phillipstowne, And theire lay in garrysone for the keepinge of the forte & towne, but some fiftie of Capten Cowlies comepanie, and Capten Giffordes half hundreth, for the rest of Capten Cowlies, were gon to Dublin for municion (being his best men, that was the first escuse, the seconde was for that neither sherif, knight, gentillman or other  p.50 308v did euer shew themselues, anymated: or once did awnswere the Alarvm with theire personnes, duringe the siedge and ouerthrow of those inocentes to accomepany the garrysone soldiers to serve so that fyndinge themselues farre vnable, bothe to kepe theire places of chardge, and serve vppon the enemy: they thought it better to kepe one suer, then hazarde bothe.

Silvyn

Indeede I confes that the comaunders of the forte and twone, had reasonne to doe as they did: but as fot the country seigniors, I will not once remember them, as Plato said to the prince of Tarent, but yet I must needs cry and say, O moste lamentable Tragedy, why should such greate griefes as these, be smothered and kept secrete, but published through owt the worlde, that revendge might be taken. for these contynuall miseries now befallen, vppon our deere bretheren, and no tymely redresse taken, (proceedeth from vayne pitty, detraction, and tolleraunce. As Lucre doctor receipts man, was wonte to say to his patientes, when they woulde say mony was scarce: tush my master has rather haue an angell in hand then trust you with viiid, his master dyed many yeares agon, and since I neuer saw him: and I haue wondered full often which way he is poasted.

Peregryn

I neuer cared much for his comepany as you knowe, but it was my chaunce to meete with him at Dublin at my comyinge away, and so after small salutations betwene vs, for oulde acquayntaunce sake, I toke my leave of him, and left him there, where he said he was to contynew.

Silvyn

Well Let him alone in Ireland. but what became of those perverse tyrantes.

Peregryn

It was a wonder to see, that after those moaths of mischief, had compassed that they cam for, and chiefly for the death of a  p.51 309r fugitive slaue of the Pherralles, takinge all such goodes and spoyles, as they best lyked, in comes the base churles, boyes, queanes and sclares, owt of all the borderes therto adioyninge, and some of theire owne neighbours to as forwarde as the best, and carry away bothe wheate, maulte, oates, householde stuffe, and all other goodes whatsouer, for all was fyshe thae came to net, and as bounde and shameles, as if havock had bene cryed, and proclaymed agaynst the traitor Lucifer, Now I pray you, let all indifferent personne scanne, how many degrees, they are behynde the traytors for the first sought the lyves of the inocent, & the seconde bereauid the fatherles left alyve, of such goodes, as shoulde haue paid the due debt, of the murdered and the surplusadge to haue sustaigned and brought them vpp in theire noneadge, a thinge beiunge so counted by those that live vnder the cullour of subiectes, that tenne tymes more punishment is to be inflicted vppon them, then vppon privy theives (and truly if you will accompte them traitors, that kepe comepany with murtherers and house burners, let not many of them be free from the statute of Irelande for that case provyded, who contynvally follow those and other Antechristians for spoyle, but for that the statutes theire are slowly remembered and lesse executed, I will comende those broode of vypers, to passe pell mell one through another to Mr Martialles lawe, since which was called in, Ireland neuer so much florished with Libertynes and thus I ende with this dolefull tragedy.

Silvyn

Now truly brother, but that the lorde of Chabry and his sonnes with the doctors wife were murdered by the Lady, the Doctor and theire hierlings (and theise by her maiesties enemies. the first against nature, and the second inhvntagne, there is litle difference in the tragedyes consideringe the fact, and the greate nomeber of soules that theire perished, but proceede, and tell me what became of those murderers.

Peregryn

Nay¦ Noe wee will leave them, for a brace of nights, to talke of their winnyings, and allthough the mighty ones, and garrysonne aforesaid, performed  p.52 390v nothinge, to the relief of those innocentes, till they were massacred (to theire rebukes) yet god raysed others, forthe of an other clymate, somewhat to pull downe their prydes.

Silvyn

It is the thinge I most desyere to hereof., wherefore I pray you proceede.

Peregryn

Now will I declare vnto you, how those murderers spedd, after theire two nightes rest for vppon theire goinge from the kill, they themselues toke ouer a bog to the tomebrelles of the toagh and sent all theire carreadge and groase spoyle, with theire Qneanes and knaves, by the harde way, and so into the fox his country: of whose demeanour, Capten William Fitzeustace and Capten Pettit heryinge thereof, they then lyinge in garrysonne at Mullingar, some eight myles from the Kill, with theire companies on ffoote, havinge Conly Duff McGoghegan and other of that sept in theire company, vppon Tewsday in the morninge after the massacre donne vppon Mr ffludd and his, And havinge good espiall vppon the enemy advaunced themselues forwardes, and overtooke those reprobates, at a place called Lesmoyne, a house of MaGoghegans standinge vppon a river called Brosnagh where the said Captens and Conly Duff with theire comepanies, gave such a sharpe onsett vppon those roages, that mavgre theire beardes, allthough at the first, they made some resistance, were broken and scattered, many of them put to the sworde, bu the greater sorte that perished were drowned, the river then beinge very high, ouer which our people followed not, partely by reasonne of the water, and the greate stoare of fvrnyture and rich spoyle, that those infernalles threwe away: asswell to tempt the soldiour as otherwyse to fly the lighter, but if they had ffollowed them ouer, as they could not withowt some perill, they had verry nere made an ende of that vnblessed crew, but as it fell owt, they beinge once so broken, were amased and confounded that they coulde neuer gather themselues togither againe, but naked as they were, and devyded into diuers companies, shrowded themselues in the  p.53 310r woodes vntill they might steale forthe of daunger and seeke theire ffrendes, where they migh best fynde them.

Silvyn

Now I ensuer you, it was the lorde, that woulde not lett, the lyke offence go longe vnpunished: the execucion whereof¦ both the captens, conly duff, and theire retyniewes did verry well performe and the said Conly Magoghegan, the more to be comended, aswell for that he was no inhabitant of the kinges county, as otherwyse had no enterteignment from her maiestie: but I pray you: mee thinckes, after those enemies of god, her maiestier and comon welth, beinge thus scattered, with the losse of their furniture and other necessaries, might easely haue bene cut of, (if it had pleased the borderers.

Peregryn

I haue toulde you still, that the borderers are another themselues, (for there is none of them that is a borderer, but hath a brother, a sonne or a kinsman, with other of theire countries in accion (and theire meaninges are as I gather it, that if the goale goe on her maiesties syde as I haue no doubt, but that it will and shall then my rezident seigniors with their brasen faces, thinck they haue done her maiestie greate service: in being not actors in personne themselues, aswell for the saueguarde of theire lyvinge as also to haue opportvnitie, to be sutors for their frendes, that haue bene in accion., and if it fall on that contrary parte (as the lorde forbid it shoulde) then are my start owtes to deale for them with the archspirites, that no disparridgement may fall vnto them, and thus by this privie cloakinge and netwyse Iuglinge, they thinck allwaies to haue two stringes to their bowe.

Silvyn

It will neuer be well: vntill a nomeber of those hippocrittes: ask her maiestie forgivenes at the signe of three trees, and hemptonne brydle, well I pray you proceede, was none of them snatcht vpp by the way, as they went to seek theire dishonest ffrendes.

Peregryn

Not yet, before this act now in hand be plaied after those fearefull vipers had intelligence that  p.54 310v The captens and the rest of the companies were drawne home agayne to there garrysonnes, and houses. Then the bastarde Girraldyne, donogh Poape and morish oge, with some three or fowerscore forlorne and naked spirittes: draweth towardes the boirders of Geshill, who appearinge then much lyke vnto bugbeares indeede, havinge changed both coppy and countenaunce., with the losse of theire greate masters comission, with theire letter of dispensacion: chaunced at unwares to be saluted by that daungerous forstallinge vyper Cormick Oge O Dempsy, who viewinge his oulde seigniors in harmes, driven to such an exigent beinge bothe hartles and weaponles, Why how now quoth that blasinge varlet (what is now befallen vnto you: doe you thinck to remdey your greifes sustaigned: by a cowardlyke and vnwonteed custome, draw vpp your hartes vnto you, and I wilbe your guyde: not doubting but the whiele of fortvne, shall once agayne turne on owr sydes, with which wordes, those cursed caytiffes pullinge vp theire spirites: and well assured that he coulde tell them how the country stoode, grew to a chappell of ill councell, in which it was agreed vppon: that in respect the sherif, had drawne all the soldiers forthe of Phillipstowne, and none semlingly there, but the townsmen, and some fewe of the forte, it was concluded and agreed, to set vppon the towne, for saith that blasinge vyper, there be few of the townsmen, that will fight, and there may we furnish our selues, with apparrell and weapones, for in respect of your late ouerthrowe, they are secvure and careles, wherevppon they addressed themselues onwardes of theire Jorney, vntill they came to a place called Knockbaley booye, within a myle of the towne where they made a stande (beinge then aboute midnight (Now as god woulde) the burrough master and townsmen stoode vppon theire guarde, havinge some former incklynge, that those forlorne spirittes were not farrre of: vppon which a good fellow then in comepany, tould the  p.55 311r burrough master that it was verry requisitt that havinge so small a comepany to defende the towne, if the enemy by the procurement of others shoulde assaulte it, to dischardge half a score shot, to which councell he consented, and so was presently effected, at which vnlooked for peale (my fearefull winter spirittes with the forstallinge Cormick, thought that the moyle capps were come home, (meaninge the soldiers (and so all the fat laid in the fyer: but I pray you who should lye in the towne that night but Terence O Connor who greately expected theire cominge for he said on the morninge followinge, that it was done lyke fearfull Iactkes: so to dischardge theire peces at that tyme of the night.

Silvyn

I am loath to trouble you with any circvmstances vntill I here the ende of this pageant, but that Terence O Connor and the forestalling Cormick, are two daungerous companions, well proceede.

Peregryn

Now these light armed roages, being disapointed of theire purpose, and vengeably iahungred, were in worse case now, then euer they were before, beinge even as naked as Esoaves Jaye, with that another chappell of ill councell was called (where speedely it was determyned, to take a coashery in Gessill and Clanvaleery, and then euery spirit, to shift for himself, now theire progresse was not so certaine, nor theire councell so secreatly kept: but Mr Terence O Dempsy, James Fitzgerald, his brother Edward and one Patrick Cusack had newes thereof, & met at Geshill, with sufficient comepany of men, wherevppon havinge so good an opportvnitie and so faier an advauntage of those naked roages, it was thought good by the said Edwarde  p.56 311v Fitzgerald of a late loose man, then a pencioner, and by Patrick Cusack, to set vppon them, alledginge what reputacion they shoulde gayne and acvmulate to themselues: by the overthrowe of the said Basiliskes: vppon which Mr Dempsy paused a whyle, And then he and James Fitzgerrald said it was not necessarie, and imediately the said Mr Dempsy sent one of the Archhonesties to giue the enemy a parley in steede of theire vltimum vale, (if his worships harte and hande, had bene cuorant, as they were counterfeit: And so they departed in peace the more pittie that such dissemblinge hippocrittes should taste the benefit & swetenes of her maiesties most gracious gift, that so slightly and againsty his alleadgeance., will ballaunce his reputacion and credit.

Silvyn

This archonestles mendes as sower ale dothe in somer from better to worse, for I warrant you his country was neuer burned yet. That were a pretty sporte and two of his brothers in accion. I pray what became of those villaignes, was there never a good fellow, that would play the takers office.

Peregryn

Yes that there did, for within a few wiekes after the basterde Giraldyne was taken by his brother Edward Fitzgerrald aforesaid, morris oge, by the lynaghs and donogh Reogh O Pherrall by others, who being carried to Dublin, receaiued theire country death, withowt any farther ceremony.

Silvyn

And had those bluddy butchers no worse a deathe (for comittinge so abhobymynable a mureder as that of Mr Fluddes, and so many Christian soales, Oh that they had bene in England, or any other country that I haue bene in, each of them, shoulde haue slunge?/swunge/sunge half a foote longer before they shoulde haue acted, so favourable  p.57 312r a farwell, but I perceaue it is a land of pittie and that marrs bothe country, towne and cittye.

Peregryn

Now truly brother to easy a death indeede, and after they were taken downe (some of them had buriall, better perfourmed a greate deale: then the murthered had who rather should have bene vsed as the good merchant dothe his rennishe wyne, who thincketh it never good nor vendable, except it be ract, but rackinge tyme in Irelande is stale and a torture not to be vsed, agaynst souche vnmeeke harted people aas the Irish is, for the moste parte of theire offences, is but threasonne and high threasonne, for robberies and other owtradges: they are accompted but jeastes.

Silvyn

Well brother¦ as I was never in Ireland yet so God willing, and for ought knowe: my purpose is never to come there, but you left a companion behynde you there: that let him be armed with countenance will in a few yeares (be so well furnished with the drosse of that kingdome) that at his last darke voyadge., Cerberus will set hell gates wydes open: when he heareth of his cominge: for his trayne will be greate that will follow his loare. Well haue we done with theise unblessed crew, as yet.

Peregryn

In deede brother the party you speake of, so he may haue it, careth not how he dothe come by it. There was another spiritt of that coate, but not of that fraternitie (named Phelim Reogh O Connor) taken by the lorde of Dellvynes men, and after execvted, ads doubty a rebell as the best (and one of the chief of that broode. Many others of that dampnable crew were after taken, kild and hanged, and so after this for the space of three monethes, those that remayned pact into South Leympster, to Ioigne themselues with that archtraytor Brian Reogh.

Silvyn

But I pay you tell me what became of that forstallinge vyper Cormuck O Dempsy that  p.58 312v he was not catcht vpp emongst the rest.

Peregryn

What¦ and a safe caue for a rescue so nie.

Silvyn

I hoape he coulde neuer enter there againe.

Peregryn

I would I had as many fat oxen, as he hath bene tyme there, sithence his first departure, then shouldest you see me in Smithfielde, on Friday sellinge fat ware for in this vacant tyme, Donell Mc Art Omoloy, was in the north with his master lucyfer, and then had he his protection agayne, in which the forstallinge vyper was not forgotten to be incerted.

Silvyn

I smell one a farr of, that will neuer leave his Iuglinge vntill, he have Iugled himself cleane away: but I pray let me here what newes in that country of South Leimster, for that I perceaue it towcheth much of their doinges.

Peregryn

I will show you a letter that by chaunce cam to my view, being written by a poore travayler, named Seignior bonycomo to his frend Vadwyne Cedary. I pray you let me here it.

Thus endeth the first booke concerning the actes of the Kinges county

2. The second booke entreateth of matters concerninge south Leimpster

My moste redoubted brother, the greate frendship, that hathe allwaies contynved inviolate betwene vs, from the begynninge of our firste acquayntaunce, vntill the day and date hereof; and now fyndinge my self quyetly seated in the fayer towne of kilkenny: the staple place for all occurrences in these partes happeninge: I coulde doe no lesse, aswell for that my longe contynvaunce in those partes: mooued me thervnto: as hearinge of the ouerthrow and banishment of the graceles O Connors, who all this longe whyle; hathe wrought the rvyne of that most wealthy country: And lastly for that I lately receaued thy letters for my retourne., togither with the newes of those partes, all which if I should haue omitted, I might happely haue fallen into lapse of ingratitude: thy kynde epistle was better wellcome to me then a dozen of ember wiekes, for I haue tasted to much of that costly fare, since the forstallinge vypers, burned me at Clonad in harvest last: and so to the matter.

After that the right honourable the Lorde Lieutenant Generalles goinge from Phillipstowne to Dublin, and Brian Reogh havinge played his pageantes (notwithstandinge his protection (with the slaughter of many of her maiesties good subiectes, yet for all that, it was thought fit, that so evill a companion as hee shoulde not lodge behynde his honour in these partes: his lordship then goinge northwarde, to parlee with the traitor Tyroane, sent him his protection, with comaundement besydes, to repaire forthwith to Dublin: and to attende his honnour: in this expedicion, which he presently did: and after the effectinge of thinges there, he stand a whyle to recreate himself with the Grando diabulo of the northe, vnder whose banner he still fought for all his faier  p.60 313v promisses made to the honorable peere; so that vppon his retourne back into Leix, he became Owny Omoore seneshall; who was in the northe disportinge himself with lucyfer when this Monster was come thither; and feelinge himself verry fitt to mannadge any thing, that shoulde be to his lykinge; beinge furnished with his owne spirittes, the moores, donogh poape, shane glasse and others of those dispersed vypers the connors, ment to not ly idle, for understandinge that some of Capten Thomas Leighs soldiers were cominge from Dublin, with apparrell and victualles, for the soldiers at the new forte: he called a chappell of ill councell and toulde them what a cheate there was at hande., but he feared the breakinge of his protection (Nay quoth some of the naked roages that were at the massacre and burninge of Mr Fludd with the rest: we are suer you are not withowt a despensacion, both for yourself and comepany, cominge so lately from the northe: and your protection wilbe a shadow, the better to accomplish the matter, for assone as the seriant cometh in sight draw towardes him, (but with a fewe) and cry frendes, all is peace., and he knowinge of your protection, will cause his comepany; not misdoubt any thing. And when you come within theire shot, fall to the sworde forthwith: this ill councell was not so soone invented but in the same manner or much the lyke presently effected: to the overthrow of some xxxty tall fellowes (whose councell to theire officer was to stand to fight assone as they had discried them, and not to trust such as were faythles, (but his wordes and rash councell prevayled before theires, to his and theire distruction, with the losse of theire apparrell and victuall: yet thery fought it owt to the vttermoste at handblowes, and beinge ouerlaid with multitude sould theire lyves deere, in her maiesties quarrell betwene Athy and Stradbelly.

Then beinge elevated, with this good successe, furnisht his wynde shaken rascalles with the apparell and furniture, that he toke from the soldiers, and so strykes vpp to the borders of Ormonde, where he plaied his pranckes in as good sorte, as in any other place; vppon which that towardly younge gentillman, Capten James Butler, nephew to the Lorde Lieutenant, with his comepany of foote, and some assistaunce of the country, followed the vypers, thinckinge not onely, to haue recouered a prea by the enemy taken, but to haue done some service vppon them; but he lyke companion, haue more trickes in his budget then one, caused his light spirites, to dryve away the prea, whylest he with his moste tryed vypoers, weare seated in ambushe: Now the right worthy gentillman, not mistrusting any such fals measures: neither half Argos eyes aboute him, followed the prea so farre, that he lighted in the middest; betwene the prea and the ambush before he was once aware, and then cvnninge mates gaue an onset bothe before and behynde, agaynst whom that valyant youngling fought verry manfully, with some others aboute him: but the remnant of his people seeinge the Capten engadgt, toke them too theire heeles, one of the best exercyses of that country, where after he beinge soere wounded was taken prisoner with some of their chiefest men aboute him, and many other slaigne; and so not keepinge him longe was released vppon certaine condicions (to me unknowne) vppon the bandes of Sir Charles Ocarroll and others.

After this conflict for avoyding of farther harmes, the Lorde Lieutenant generall, hearinge that one Daniell Spanniagh, a pencioner of her maiesties, and chief seignour emongst the McMurghoes: the ill successor of the greate McMurgho the last Leinsterian kinge., in Irelande (was started from his alleadgiaunce: and not onely a perillous fellowe: but a borderer upon Ormonde thought it most fit, (and the rather to avoynde the Combynacion of those two basiliskes;, once againe to protect the said Brian Reogh and his  p.62 314v consortes, which the cvnninge comepanion accepted and so he and some of his chiefest vypers, repaier to his honour to Kilkenny, whereafter some conference had betwene them, he departed form thence agayne.

Then for that his people shoulde not lye Idle, for feare of catchinge the fever Hurdayne, he addresseth himself towardes Sir Charles Ocarrolles, with some of his trustiest crew., (where a greate Quagge myer met with him, and there was much adoe, with quiveringe and shakinge of hands/heads betwene them two; the rest of his sweepstakes went downe into Pherrall, to visit theire oulde ffrendes the Omoloyes, whereby Chaunce, Sir Christener Sct Lawrence his comepany, Sir Edwarde Fitzgerralds, and parte of Capten Henry Cowlies were, And at Balleybooy, some of Sir (sic) comepany, and some of Brian Reoghs met togither and stroave who shoulde carry away the bucklers, the kearne seeinge they were stronge enough for them, stoodde to theire tacklinge; bothe sortes takinge the advauntage of some place of strength, but lieutenant Fitzsymmones remembringe himself, what service might be done, by somewhat delayinge the tyme, sent a swift boy, for lieutenant Lyons, and James Philipps Capten Cowlies seriant, to come vnto him with their companies with all expedicion, which accordingly they did vppoin which¦ the kearne fearinge to (sic) entrapped toke them to theire heeles, leavinge some of theire spirittes behynde for a witnes they had bene there, and chaced them into the bosome of theire Master Brian. who cam forth to the rescue, but a tall fellow of the soldiers going somewhat to farre: caught some stoare of blowes but yet rescued and recouered; then Brian sent his messenger vnto the officers of the bandes, to signifie  p.63 315r vnto them, that he and his were protected, and therefore his people and himself had wronge., but the officers and soldiers, knowinge to well his knavery, if he had bene better provyded for them) gaue his messenger faier wordes, and so departed aboute theire owne busynes.

Then when the terme of his visitacion was expyred in those partes, and thinkinge it longe that his greate trayne shoulde lye Idle and doe nothinge, drawes towardes, his new companion in harmes Donell Spannyagh, and after some conference had betwene them., they agree to take a prea in the county of washforde. And so beinge some viii or nyne hundreth caterpillers, advaunceth themselues forweardes. (consideringe that Brian Reogh should haue the vawarde, And Donnell Spanniagh should stay in the entraunce of a fastnes vndescryed and not to shewe himself, before he sent him worde or that he saw him distressed: allottinge him his owne people the Cavenaughs, alias McMurghoes, with some of his own spirittes.

Thus havinge given order for all thinges away he addresseth himself with some fyve hundreth in his comepany and rayseth a mighty prey, not farre from Inishcorfy, where Mr Treasuers comepany of foote then lay. with some CCth of the piccardyne soldiers placed in the country thereaboutes: who hearinge the Alarum vppon the gatheringe of the prea, the said three companies, made towardes the cry, and so did Sir Thomas Coakeley and his brother, with many other gentillmen and inhabitantes of the country besides: who lyke valyant people chardged the enemy home And had the slaughter of a nomeber of Brian Reoghes vypers and rescued the prea: but not beinge contented with such good succes, chased the Enemy bothe loose and disorderedly, which that Crafty Engyner espynge., beinge then on horsback, caused a swift foteman, to call in Donell Spannyagh (who cominge in vnlooked for (with his freash cavenaughes: and that in good oder, chardged the soldiers, the country gentillmen and theire people, havinge spent themselues  p.64 315v bothe in boddy, and want of powder, and other necessaries, and allthough they made what resistance they coulde, Sir Henry Wallopes band of moste valynat and tryed soldiers were there allmoste slaigne, with scome hundreth of pickardyne soldiers, beinge men of greate valure (who soulde theure lyves deerely; Sir Thomas Coakeley had his horse kilde, and his brother Leonarde Coakekey slaigne, with many others of that country besides It was my chaunce to be at Carlogh the same night, that the enemy retourned, who with greate bravery tryumphed, and hade theire protection as it was credibly tould me, sent them that same tyme., so that it scolleth/stilleth? not what Iniury they comit against the prince and subiect.

Then vppon the neck of this vpp poasteth Owny O moore, and then he and his seneschalles plaies their fegaries in Leix, that allmoste all the houldes and castelles of that country are in theire owne power., the forte and some few as yet excepted, so that there neddeth a new conquest there (the more pitty if it pleased the lorde.

Now much aboute this tyme vpp cometh John Lystonne; that Trayterous mounsterman, from the north, and what a notable companion he hath bene (all the worlde knoweth, and yet hatched emonge the english, well in the Erle of desmondes warres, as well for comittinge sundry threasones as otherwyse at the murderinge of Englishmen since that country was given, then a greate servitieur under the Traytor Tyroane  ⁷, then by him poasted into Spaigne, aboute some honeste busynes., and at his retorne againe vnto him: had in greate estymacion, but not forgettinge his oulde cvnninge slightes, seinge that in the ende, his graunde master mighte happely  p.65 316r call: After greate promisses made vnto him, that he woulde doe greate exployte in Mounster, where he was borne, in settinge them togither by the eares there; away he cometh with some Cth rascalles, and hathe so compassed the matter: that the Erle of Ormonde hath receaued him into favour, and as I was infourmed, at my beinge in gawran where he lyeth, that he had fifty men in pay to serue under her maiesty, and who is clarke of his bande but Edmond kearne that was at the burning of Mr Fludd. And as crainck the traytor Listonne is, as though he were as true a man, as any her maiesty hath in Ireland., (which I knowwe is the leaste parte of his meaninge, but the knave was weary of Oatemeale, and stinckinge butter, in the Northe; beinge full sumbd/suinbd/swined? with currant stuffe; quickly atteigned to amende his diet and lodginge. but the villaigne ashameles? and happely made the noble peere belieue that he woulde worke wonders, which god knoweth is no parte of his creede., I ensuer brother my harte turned in my body, when I sawe that shameles murder of her maiesties subiecres, but as the worlde goeth now in Ireland, it is better to be a knave then an honest man., for the first must bee advaunced (in pollycy as the better soorte say, for comittinge any farther villany, and the seconde muste learne to begge, in respect of his to much zeale and honesty.

Then not longe after, the lorde Lieutenant Generall, repaired to Dublin, and Donell Spannyagh beinge somewhat anymated to become infamous after his late gotten victory in the county of Wexforde, combyneth himself, with Feugh McHughes sonne, to make a bravado aboute Saggard, being some Vii myles from Dublin, the which the Erle of Ormonde vnderstanding, drew towardes them with such forceies, as he might make in the Citty, and sent Capten George Greame before to descry, bothe the nomeber of the Enemy, and the place where they were: which he undertooke to doe, now Mr Oliuer Wallop, and other gentillmen to the nomeber of xx or there aboutes, desyrous to goe in comepany  p.66 316v with him, at the sight of the Enemy, wished Capten Greames to chardge them, (he toulde them he had no farther warrant from the Lord Lieutenant generall, but to descry, and was to repaier back to his honour, to signify vnto him what he had seene., then as I harde, the said Mr Walloppe imbraieded of cowardyse (which he greately disdaigning, beinge knowne to the worlde to be no such kynde of man (said in token thereof that is not true. followe me, and so contray to his direction chardged the enemy with those handfull of horsmen. Greames shewinge himself well what he was, but there Mr Wallopp, Capten Gibsone, James nix and others paid for theire to much forwardnes with the losse of theire lyves, which if they had proceeded no farther but to descry, they might haue bene bothe the ocasion of better service and happely haue theire owne lyves, for after the noble Erle came in, he had the slaughter of many of the enemy, and with all Lykelyhoode, haue perfourned a farre greater matter, if the former attempt had bene neglected.

And lastly after the Lord Lieutenant generall cominge from Dublin to Kilkenny, and understandinge what villainies were comitted by Owny O Moore, Bryan Reogh and theire vnblessed crewe: vppon his tenantes and followers of the county of Kilkenny and the borders of Tipporarrey levied a force of such soldiers, which were neerest vnto him, and so sent them vnder the conduct of his nephew Capten James Butcher, to coape with the enemy: who vnderstandinge thereof, mynded not to make any flight, allthough he was assisted by many of the piccardyne soldiers but drew resolute to fight havinge some advauntadge of a bog and a woode for a back, which as you know they doe comonely vse, which is greate an advauntadge against our comepanies, that must kepe  p.67 317r the high way, and the acquaynted with euery starting hoale., wherevppon the valyant Capten chardged them in the fronte, where began a bluddy pece of worke, the capten beinge theare slaigne with diuers of his comepany, and on the othersyde Brian Reogh wounded to the death, and dyed shortely after, Loosinge many of his rascalls of some accompte, and thus I committ you to the Lord. Kilkenny, this xxiiii of June 1598. Yours. Cyº. bonicomo.

Peregryn

Brother how lyke these Lempster matters,

Silvyn

Truely I comend the ould seigniuor for his paynes. But what will you towch any other parte of the lande.

Peregryn

No not, before I haue made an ende with kinges county for now my he devilles of Aphaley, begynnes to take hart of grasse, for the former succes in which they were assistantes, and now must? I haue an other flinge at tirrell, a shame take for his paynes, for now he is come fourth of the north againe.

Silvyn

I thinck we shall neuer haue done with these villaynes, well proceed.

Peregryn

Well now you shall here of other sporte: for all this vacant tyme, sythence the viii of March 1597 vntill the ixth of July 1598, the Connors neuer medled in that country, some shrowdynge themselues in the northe, and others fought vnder Brian reoghs banner, vntill he  p.68 317v was slaigne; About the vii of July 1598 the Lorde Lieutenant generall, had sent for all the forceis: that lay in Phillipstowne, to repaire to Athy with all expedicion, and even the verry same day Tirrell the Apostat, rysee vp at the Durrough, with some fyve hundreth of his northerne Cangrenaes, and others, with as greate cvnninge as formerly he did, and yet was the knight martiall, with xvii ensignes of foote, besydes horssmen, in the Lord of Delvynnes countryy being not many myles from him, when he passed Westmeath, & yet never descryed, by such as were willinge to serve, vntill he came into Mack Goghegans country, where Bryan Magoghegan, beinge but himself, and one horseman, risse forth to see what they were, and vnderstandinge it was Tirrell, came vppon the sparr in manner of a bravado, and for that he was a lone., one of the miscreantes thincking he had bene in jeaste, went forth from his comepany, vsinge some of his country Apish tricks, but Bryan beinge otherwyse determynded; and takinge his opportunitie, strake my northerne vyper, cleane through the boddy with his staffe, and went clere away, withowt hurte.

Silvyn

Now I ensuer you it was verry well perfourmed of the gentillman, and if the rest of the dissembling hippocrittes (which way they travayled, had shewed themselues but half so annymated he could not haue come with such a scum of Cannyballs so far vnfought with but I pray you what did he then

Peregryn

His Journey lay so, that needs he must passe harde by the Durrough, or els haue gone aboute  p.69 318r which Sir Harbertes people coulde in no wyse digest, and for that he was denyed to passe in quiet, his northerne sweepstakes, growinge somewhat collerick, entred vppon his bawne, where his cattell was, but Sir Edwardes warde, so beesmoakte; my minsinge knaves that they were glad to pack away in haste, without either cow or sheepe., and left half a dozen of theire best vypers behynde them, besydes many other hurte, which dyed shortely after, then for that he and his spirites had, travayled farre, and never rested that day & night before, beinge bothe weary and withowt victualles and eveninge growinge on., he caused his people to play the caters: and so with such droaves of greate and small cattell as they could get, came to Killmore, harde vppon the borders of Phercall, where he encamped (of whose suddayne arryvall) it was not longe hid ffrom the two honest Omoloyes Callogh and Donell, and they to shew themselues dutiefull to so greate a man, as Lvcyfers Lieutenant was, beinge theire cosen vermaigne by the mothers syde, the said Donell a sworne servaunt vnto Lvcyfer cam to him presently wit some xxtie in his comepany, and caused bothe victualles to be provyded, (besydes the former booties they had taken, and poore people to wash theire feete; beinge so surbatted & wearyed with travaiele that they were not able to stand.

Silvyn

It appereth that Sir Ed: Harbert hath bene mightly back frended, that being allwaies willing to serve, and the man they moste shot at, could not haue some CCth men in pay (which no doubt if that he had, as it seemeth fit to me (allthough neuer there) he woulde haue perfourmed more then those that promised much, and perfourmed nothinge, for it was a verry easy matter, to haue ouerthrown them, beinge so wearied with travaiele, lack of victualles, and want of sleepe, but as for those sly companyons that with such curtesy enterteigned him and his cursed crew, I never had better hoape of them, since the begynning of your history., but what did the garrysone soldiers of Phillipstowne for I am suer they were not gon, far forthe of the country.

Peregryn

As I toulde you before they were sent for before by the lorde generall, and hearing of the approach of  p.70 318v Tirrell, made a stay of theire Joruney, and drew onwardes of theire Journey towardes him, and in the meane tyme Sir Christopher Sct Lawrence beinge then absent, and by reasonne of messengers, vnderstanding of Tirrelles arryvall in the place, where he had comaunde, drew thither withall expedicion: who by honester sorte, was wished to set vppon him, consideringe his nomeber was not greate, and so weary and sleepy besydes, that they could make small resestaunce, (which councell he was determyned to follow, vntill the traitor Terence Connor came, who certified him that Tirrell was aboue viiiC men stronge, who gevinge credit to that dissembling hippocrit, loste the best opportvntie (for somuch service) that euer was harde of, for they rested themselues in theire encampinge place at Killmoore, vntill the next day at noone, beinge neuer once barqut at, but at the Durrough, and Brian McGoghegan. And would haue contynved in the same place a day longer but feare of the garrysonne soldiers, And so by easy Journeies passed thorough honest Odoynes country) and from thence into Leix., where he chaunced to haue some small conference with his companion in harmes, Brian Reogh, being then ready to pack Antechristes goode master.

Nowe comes there vpp with Tirrell, a worthye back slyder named Lishagh McCallogh O Connor, & he beinge longe maynteigned and better brought vp, then his deserts requyed, with Sir G. Bowrchier, now standes vppon tearmes to be O Conner himself: and to him cleaues all the rest of those graceles crewe, of that title, takinge vp theire lodginge in the fastnes of moylith, moste parte thereof, belonginge to his eldest brother Barnaby O Connor, leaving Seignior Tirrell the Apostat in Leix, with the blouddy spirit Owny O Moore., And then he and his caterpillers begynne to prye abroade into Aphaley, havinge so good a back as Tirrell was.

Silvyn

It is a wonder to see, how commaunders and men of aucthoritie may be ouerulde, by such hippocrittes as Terence O Conner was, for as I remember, he is bothe a kynne to Tirrell, and behouldinge to hym for his lyfe, when Sir Edward Harbert, and capten Gifford, followed him into Leix, at which tyme he was taken prisoner in the retreict, therefore of all men, his worde shoulde  p.71 319r not haue bene taken for gospell, and no doubt but some will tast of the whipp shortely.

Peregryn

Then when Tirrell was passed into Leix, he was safe enough. for Owny O moore was not a litle glad of his cominge; in respect of my Lord Generalles expedicion: and that his senesholl Brian Reogh was passed to the Sulphure mynt: and so a freash commaundment was sent for Sir Christoner Sct Lawrence, and the garrysonne of Phillipstowne, and none left bhynde, but xxxti of Capten Cowleyes soldiers to kepe the forte, and sixtene of the said knight to assest the townsmen., but they were no sooner gon towardes the Lorde Generall, but the vyperly connors at Moylith peepes owt of theire denne; and takes victualles, in Mr Dempsies countrie and Geshill, at theire pleasures: and then growes to councell how they should burne Phillipstowne: in which matter of weight Terence O Connors councell was not behynd, for that poore burrough was in no small pearle in their eyes, and so vppon the xviiith day of July 1598 ii houers before day a hundreth of those vypers, vnder the heading of Lyshagh O Connor, Murtogh og McTirlagh, Murtogh McOwen, Donogh Poape and Patrick O Darmot, were brought into the waste of the town by the threasone of the watch (beinge Irish) and none to guard the same, but ix men: which stoode in the market place with the burrough master, who seing the shot of the enemy light vppon some of his trusty frendes, and not able to make the place good, and in especially, for that sixtene soldiers aforesaid came not to rescue, according to theire promis, was driven to repaier to the fforte, and to the south gatehouse, from whence a tryed soldier shot at Patrick O Darmot (being then theire martyall, and slew him, wherevppon the enemy reculed, but yet burnt all the town, except some howeses (which parte of them hath bene fyered sythence, but that single mischaunce of Patrick Darmot so grieved them: that for hast they stripp Mr Martiall, and left him in pleadge for the croes., it was a greate pittie to se how the poore people and inhabitantes of the towne, beinge awaked forthe  p.72 319v of theire morninge sleepes, toke them to theire winges, for some of them never staied to guaadge the ditches, beinge six or seaven foote deepe of water, the gvnner with his greate ordynaunce from the forte playde his parte, and so did the rest of the soldiers there, but they were matters by chaunce as if a man should shute at the moone., the vypers beinge so stronge caried some hundreth cowes and garrondes away from the towne, and passed into Mr Dempsies country: where they were enterteigned with no litle joy: dishonest Terence Connor for manner sake, gaue them a Maii lordes skirmish, withowt any hurte giuen or taken: and although he had then kearne in her maiesties pay: he tryumphed not a litle of the burninge of that towne: and for the good successe of his base kinred, of whose booty he had his share. And so the key of the countries betwene Athloane and Dublin; and from Mullingar to Limberick was then loste to the vtter undoing of many a poore subiect: and the hurt of the garrysone soldiers appointed to that place, besydes the cuttinge of, of all entercourse from the lowest to the highest: and even at the verry same tyme, was parte of Iniscorfye a garrysonne towne in the county of Wexford, formerly entreated of burned by calling away them of the garrysonne; but not a place standinge to so much effect as Phillipstowne did, yet bothe of them sclenderly reguarded, wheresoeuer the fault was., being English keyes for the preservacion of her maiesties countries and subiectes in those severall partes; And yet allthough some two thowsand horse and foote, were gathered togither, to haue persecuted Tirrell and Owny O Moore, & bothe armies encamped one so nere another, that the enemy plaied into the Lorde Generalles campe, with theire shot and hurte one of the pickardynes wyves (yet allthoughe greate suite was made by the captens vnto his honour, that thy might fight with the enemy, it was by his lordship not thought requisite, the cause thereof  p.73 320r I could neuer learne., And so except the victoallinge of the new forte, with a litle bickeringe nere the blackford in this expedicion not any thinge worthe the wrytinge was effected; and so the Army directed to theire garrysonne places againe and the Enemy to contynew his accustomed liberty.

Silvyn

Now truly brother I was assured that after Tirrelles departure: beinge afforded him in such favourable manner, I shoulde here of, some notable exployte sone after., for I ensuer you the losse of a garrysone towne, cannot chuse, but be the ouerthrowe of the English and other the good subiectes adiogninge: being the verry high way to bringe that country equall with Leix: so that if it be not buylt againe in tyme: and some favourable respect had of the poore inhabitantes by the high powers, her maiestie shalbe driven shortely, to victuall the same, (to her no small chardges) as she doth now the fforte in Leix: for take away theire market, and the concourse of buyinge and sellinge; there must of necessitie follow greare hurte to the soldiers for want of victualles, fyer and lodginge; and vtter distruction to the poore inhabitantes, not knowinge elswhere to get theire livinges: as for your seignieurs of Dempsies country, I haue said enough of them allready, and withowt there be some hanginge emongst them, and the rest of the borderers, it canne be no otherwyse but naught still, for there hath bene neuer pleadge taken in at any tyme hertofore for the securitie of those partes, but the birding boy; which argueth greate weaknes of care and preservacion of those partes (wheresoeuer the fault is, well for that there was nothinge effected in the greate expedicion, but turninge taiele to taiele, what after ensved.

Peregryn

After those base Cockatriticall base Connors had burned Phillipstowne, and assured of theire ffrendes good successe in Leix., then they setled themselues to be lordes of Aphaley indeed, and fell a preaing of brymieghams country, and other places belonging to the English, and for that they woulde be suer, that the poore Inhabitantes of Phillipstowne should not take the advauntadge of any waste houses standinge on the south syde, thereof, vppon the  p.74 320v land of Geshill, they burned diuers country villadgres there, seperatinge themselues into seuerall comepanies, the one parte kepinge in Moylith aforesaid, and the other at a place called Killith in Geshill. And thus havinge devyded themselues as aforesaid parted the goodes and spoyles of the subiect emongst them, and kept theire biellies in the said places. beinge allwayes guarded with some of theire caterpillers whylest the rest reaved abroade for more spoyle. Then beare harvest beinge come those vypers lyinge at moylith, burned balinrath, balleybaley Sir George Cowleyes and Mr ffraunces Harbertes. And for thrat theire consortes lyinge at Killith, was loath that theire companions in harmes should excell them in villany, the burne Clonadd, Cleduff, the Kill. Killduff, the barnan & Clondiriell, with such beare as was gathered togither.

Vppon this good success Terence McTeig O Connor knowinge himself to be (Ipse Carnifex) aboue the rest (notwithstanding the favour his father had from her maiestie and her awncestors, for his services in Scotland, and otherwyse, his owne lyvinge, his enterteignment, and his wyfe and many children, relyinge vppon him., put in for the best gaine, and would needes thrust owt his cosen Lishagh McCallogh, and take the halter vppon himself, And so refusinge the premisses for the bare name, of a forlorne title of O Connor had ?land?, was about the xvi of August 1598 crowned with a cooniagh of bone clabbagh Rex Basiliscus of all those fyery serpentes, And to shew himself in his cullers, thinckinge that his verry bare name woulde make the trees to tremble, the bogs to quake, the poore churles and callioghes to kneele and all beastes of the field, to be to him obedient, drawes the night ffollowinge to the Durrough (a place neuer owt of rememberaunce) and  p.75 321r Theire toke vp, for his feast, distroy all, cxl tie cowes besydes. Garrondes, with muttonnes and small achates for the seconde course, wherevppon one Clinton a man of Sir Edward Harbertes (his master beinge then from home, and havinge, not company wherwith to recouer the prea; beinge well mounted, set spurrs to his horse, and brake thorough the Enemy, and so poasted to Phillipstowne to Sir Chisoner Sainct Lawrence, who forthwirh drew forthe to crosse monnsieur Noua O Connor. Sendinge Lyons his lieutenant with come viii pykes and xx shot somewhat before, and so aboute Capin Curre. Met with him: havinge in his comepany some threescore of his approoued vypers when Terence had descryed the Liuetenant with so small a comepany, caused the prea to be tvrned asyde, and drew towardes the soldiers with that Lyons went ouer a gutt and made a stande whylest all his people were ouer (which the enemy espyinge, thinckinge he woulde haue retyred, hastened the more to the encounter, and beinge come within knowledge one of another the lieutenant saluted the New O Connor with these wordes, or much the lyke., what¦ on the Queenes syde yesterday, and O Connor feane today; Now I ensuer thee; I will coole thy coradge by and by, but seignieur Terence was dvmbe; yet came fowarde verry lustly, but the soldiers gaue those serpentes such a volew of shot, that Shane Glasse, the valiantest spirit emongst them, was slaigne, and douers others O Connor himself shot thorough the foote, that he neuer recouered vntill he dyed, murtagh og Mc Tirlagh shot thorough the tigh: and the prea recouered, not longe after some of those caterpillers, went to take a prea about Castell Jourdane; who were met with by Lieutenant Rushen, and discomfited them betwene Cloneiriell and the barnan, and xxxiiii cowes  p.76 321v recouered from them, with the losse of some of theire people, and diuers hurte besydes presently after they murdered one William Brymindgham a gentillman, whose father had bene a good servitieur against theire awncestors on her maiesties parte, And yet after this though they did no greate harme in the boddy of the country (in respect of theire mishapps (yet they kept theire two garyson places withowt any Impechment; havinge all the borderers theire verry good ffrendes.

Silvyn

It is an easy matter to vanquish those vypers, if order had bene first taken with the borderers for sufficient pledges: for ffrom them, proceedthe all their, help and a perillous thing it is, for her maiesties people to fight with them in theire owne fastnesses: they knowing full well how to devyde themselues to annoy our people: and to retourne to theire places of rest when they shall thinck it good, and her maiesties army driven to kepe the high way lest being d they be ouertaken, & so not permitted to gather themselues into one boddy againe., besydes this, for that theire hath bene no meanes taken to provoake the borderers to serve vppon them, or to call in such of theire kinred and affinity, as they haue emongst the enemy: which be the verry instrumentes: that they svstaigne no harme, either in theire boddies houses or cattell. (except victuall) they happely vnder cullour of subiectes help them with powder, municion and other wantes, for they cannot be so conynvally supplied therwith, withowt the helpe of such people as they are, for whom it is lawfull to haue entercourse into townes and citties, where the premisses is sould, as for Terence O Connor I had neuer better hoape of him. And yet I perceaue these fellowes are in generall burners, for that you name but some particular townes in that country: whereby it apereth thy vse some favour, they vse some ffavour  p.77 322r towardes some of theire oulde benefactors.

Peregryn

Well, allthough some kynde of favour is shewed for the tyme: it is but to cullour a greate pece of mischief, intended: as the sequele will declare.

Silvyn

Nowe truly I am of that opynion; but what is become of Tirrell.

Peregryn

After he had so well escaped from the Lord Lieutenant generall as aforesaid, he and his vnblessed crew made ouer into the kinges county, and there visites his friends in all places, takinge theire pledges and oathes to be true to Lucyfer, but Sir Charles O Carroll somewhat disquieted himself and rablement, in sleaing some of his worthiest spirites: for I tell you, that same knight hath shewed himself, right well to her maiestie in this broken tyme, and his brother in law McCoghlan for ought that I coulde learne, medleth verry litle or nothinge at all with the enemy, for his countruy is bothe fast and stronge, and his people hardy, There is a demi lord in that country called the ffox; who in all these broyles (allthough verry valyant, never yielded to be a consorte with the wicked: and yet so pinched with penury, and crossed by a mighty seignieur, that it would haue provoaked most men of his coate to haue revolted., In all Tirrell lyinge here for this tyme, litle or nothinge was effected, except the killinge of Conly Duff McGoghegan and so after this Tirrell, hearing of the Lord Lieutenant generalles goinge into Leix to victuall the New forte repaiers towardes Owny O Moore.

Silvyn

Well, I perceaue Tirrell canne teach our Greate Segnieurs what they should doe, for he will breake no parte of his masters commision and a happy thinge it is that we haue lighted vppon some honest Ireland lordes in those partes,  p.78 322v but what is McCoghlan, as for the ffox I perceaue he is no greate lord when he may be so easely ouermatched, and as for Conly Duff somewhat he is to be mourned, consideringe his former service.

Peregryn

Macoghlan hathe a fyne faste country as I said before and bordereth vppon Sir Charles and for that he lay still, and never gaine nor toke in these last warrs, I may not bluse him forth; emongst the rest of the wicked borderers, yet as I remember, An arch ruynour romish prelate (as it is reported) should bringe him a dispensacion from Lucyfer, at his beinge in the Northe.

Silvyn

There muste needes be somewhat in it: that he lay still as a newter, and neither gave nor tooke, but gaped to see which way the world would wag, but proceed.

Peregryn

After Tirrelles departure, carynge Donell McArte Omoloy with him into Leix: Sir Chrisoners and Capten baptist comepanies, were sent for by the Lord Lieutenant generall, to awnswere the Journey to the new forte, being in the pryme tyme of wheate harvest in Aphaley, yet the locustes left behynde, did no exployt neither by fyer nor otherwyse, vntill the iourney was perfourmed in Leix, at which expedicion the best of the Connors were.

Aboute the begynninge of September the Lord Lieutenant generall vnderstandinge that victualles grew scarce, with those of the new forte, raysed some xviC horse and foote: and went himself in personne with them: whose purpose being well knowne to the enemy: Owny O Moore, Tirrell, Mcgennis his sonne, the O Connors & other theire accomplices shrowded themselues betwene the blackforde and Stradbally, theire accustomed place, of assembly to annoy the convoy, and so our  p.79 323r Army beinge come to that place the enemye appered, and put owt theire loose shot to skirmish, who were verry well awnswered by our soldiers, and in the ende beaten back by them., with the losse of many of theire vypers so that the passadge was made cleere, bothe for the army and provision: and so went onwarde to the forte, The next day at our menns retourne from the forte, the Enemy purposinge either to take or giue, set vppon, the Lorde Lieutenant generall and his comepany, at the aforesaid place, where beganne a cruell fight the Enemy drawinge into the playne: where not onely the bullet walked lyke bees, but our horsmen had growne to chardge (which they did, and ouerthrew many of the enemy, in which busynes the Lord Lieutenant was in daunger Sir Warham Sct Ledger maymed in the leg and one John Eustace slaigne:, and some others both one hoseback and fote besydes, but thankes be to god our syde prevayled and as I was credebly enfourmed, our syde loste not aboue tenne men and the Enemy aboue fower score.

Silvyn

What a chardge is it to her maiestie, the losse of that country of Leix: being now contynvally dreven, to victuall the forte with an Army: And allthough the expedicion was well perfourmed by the Lord Lieutenant and his comepany, to the foyle of the Enemy, yet Consideringe the great chardges and losse of her highnes people it is but deerly bought: Also it seemeth to me that Owny O Moore and Tirrell, are Ioygned in one comyssion from theire Master Lucyfer, for the Actes of Leix are and haue bene, awnswered with greater resolucion by the Enemy, then in any other place where they haue come, but it ap-eth there as honest borderers vppon that coaste, as vpon Aphaley for there is the haven of rest.

Peregryn

You may be suer of that, for three of the Aphalian fronters, as the doynes, the dempsyes and barnaby connor (but especially the two first haue most of theire lyvinges in the Queenes County called Leix; There is also a noble gentillman, called the  p.80 323v Lorde of vpper ossorie, and others to me vnknowne ioigninge vpon them also, and yet I harde of no service done vppon the Enemy by any of them; but by some of the butlers, who bought theire affected revendge at to deere a pryce, as you haue formerly harde., as for Mr Dempsy and Monnsieur teig of Og o doyne, they be graunde kepers of the two passadges or entrances to and from the kinge and Queenes countyes: for Porte yn Inch in odempsies Country and Clare in Odoynes Country, are such kynde of strength, that it were vnpossible for the enemy; to passe to and fro; withowt greate damadge; if they had list to serve, but you may se by this; that they havinge theire lyvinges, in bothe counties, must be obedyent to the Enemies on bothe sydes: or els suffer shipwrack, as the rest of her maiesties good subiectes doe.

Silvyn

Why¦ I pray you how hould they theire landes, that they are not affraid, to harbour and countenaunce the enemy as aforesaid.

Peregryn

They houlde by knight service, as the rest of the English doe; especially Mr Dempsy.

Silvyn

A moste anctient an honorable houldinge, if it were perfourmed accordinge the true meaninge) of theire patentes, ffrom her maiesties and awncestors: but as they vse the matter, it may be termed no better, if not worse then hippocriticall service, but truly I thinck that they & others of their coate, haue privy dispenacions lyinge by them, or els they durst not be so boulde; And if there were no wyser men then my self, I could wish that some Temporall Martynne Lvther might be poasted ouer into that country, to suppresse, pardonnes, protectiones and dispenacions, for as I haue harde not longe tyme sithence: they haue bene as currantethers for the Quantitie of the place, as they are in Roome, and some of the chiefect pillers that vphouldes those libetynes:, And no dout but  p.81 324r if those borderers had theire right, the army shoulde haue bene bent against them and live vppon theire goodes., And better it were it should be so, then they thus to remayne as staplers for men, victualles and mvnicion for thge vphouldinge of the Enemy, and if had bene effected in tyme they would haue sunge another tvne; but I smell they are verry liberall to theire advocates in courte; who pleaded theire case irronically (honest for dishonest): There is one that is to come ouer martiall, whose harde fortvne was not to contynew there longe after his arryvall; to the hurte of that naked estate, that if he had lived, yea but a small tyme, would haue taught them: to singe theire Anthem beofre evensonge.

Peregryn

In faith brother well remembered for there are a comepany of martlemas men, dwelling not farre from trym, whereas if that Sir Richard Bingham had lived he should haue beene seated there, and these kynde of people, are the best victuallers of the connors when Aphaley affordes them naught.

Silvyn

What meane you by martlemas men, it shoulde seeme they lovue well hangd meat: for as I take it: they are stoared with beof and bacon, which will requier good stoare of Lycour.

Peregryn

These martlemas men, dwell aboute the river of the Boyne and are fat fellowes in deed and for that the redmoore, the blacksharde, with other places of fastnes, be meete for the cursed Connors, they are receaued by the aforesaid Seigniours withe greate favour (when freash victualles in other places, waxeth scarce.) and emongst them harboured, aswell for ould allyance and acquayntance as for that the Connors make some of them theire threasurers, of such spoyle as is gotten in other places, so theise fellowes will neuer be good except they be hanged vpp in the sonne in stedd  p.82 324v of the smoake, as one toulde me that aboute some xxi/xxiitie? yeares agoe, Sir William Colliar deceassed, had martiall lawe in those partes and he so scoured my martlemas men, that the countrie was the better many yeares after, And one thinge more I can assure you of, that placing the martiall at Trymme It will be a greate help for the Quiet of the English pale and the borders about it for in former tymes it was martialles place of residence vntill Sir Nicholas Bagnall had the office and got footinge in the Newry, and other landes thereaboutes; and besydes all this it lyeth in the bowelles of the realme.

Silvyn

Well brother I am sorry of Good Sir Richard Binghams death, for his going ouer as I did here with wonderfull credit woulde haue daunted all his enemies on that syde of the sea; for now it appeared to the worlde: how he was wronged, and what want Ireland had of him (I meane the good subiect) but what haue we done with Tirrell.

Peregryn

After the victuallinge of the new forte (the cursed connors) drawes into Aphaley againe (but Mr Terence Connor had paid his way) so that the foresaid Lishagh McCallogh taketh in hand to rule the roaste and in the absence of the garrysonne, that then was not come home, he with his vypers taketh away: from Phillipstowne some xxxtie cowes: whom such soldiers as were left at home skirmisht with and no greate harme but that one Andrew Linch a corporall in Capten Cowlies band was slaigne., And much aboute this tyme Capten Richard Gifforde entred the enemies aboute Clonbaley and had some bickering with the Connors, where he slew that vyper Shane Ballogh with some ii or three other, himself  p.83 325r beinge shot thorough the arme and lost a soldier or two; and beinge overlaied with many of the vypers was ffayne to the Castell of Clonboulge. (forth of which he was rescued by others of the garrysonne comepanie.

Silvyn

I ensuer you, I am right glad of Capten Giffordes good succes, but what is become of the archtraytor Tirrell. for now I thinck he be cleane poasted away.

Peregryn

What¦ and teig oge O doyne keper of Clare passidge, for you must understant that the base connors cam before to make provision for his greatnes: for nowe he entreth the kinges county by the aforesaid straight, havinge Owny O Moore, Magennis his sonne, and some vii or viiiC vypers in theire comepanies, and svmmons all the borderers as the Omoloyes, the Magoghegan the worme eaten Omelaughans, & diuers others nedles to rehearse, and even at this instant goeth away from Croghan the birding boye.

Silvyn

What¦ and but that one pleadge for the securitie of so many countries, in deede theire lacked provident care the porter to stand by Capten Careles his shoulder.

Peregryn scored out

No doubt, there wanted, a provident care bothe in the begynninge, and contynvance of those broyles, how to haue suppressed those malladies for now the disease, withowt gods help (as many tymes is saide before is allmoste growen incvarable and no doubte, the meane how to redresse those matters in tyme., was well knowne to many if opportunitie had bene taken. but I haue many tymes before this, thought to haue asked you, whither the Lorde Generall at his beinge at Phillipstowne; never smelt owt such, as fostered vpp the base Connors, he havinge receaued the complaynantes of the country inhabitantes.

Peregryn

The Lord Lieutenant Generall as I haue bene for truth ascertayned, handled some of my greate masters of Aphaley in theire kynde, for he assembled as many of them togither as were then in the country, and sware them vpoon the evangelist, that they shoulde truly deliuer vnto him, vnder their handes, by whom and with whome, those wicked Connors had bene fostered and bredde vpp: which was effected a Phillipstowne, and iustified agayne, before the lord Justices and councell at Dublin, but some emongst the rest allthough that course was daungerous vnto them, yet lyke honest Christians, rather ventured to play the barristers, then to be fownd periurates.

Silvyn

This was a verry wyse course to bringe owt the truth, but I thinck those that be guilty of that cryme, woulde haue bene contented to haue paied, tenne fifteenes, & as many subsidies, as houres in the day, that, that recorde were metamorphosed, to a blanck charter for feare of venias mecum, but I warrant you Sir Edwarde Harbert was none of the forlorne seigniors.

Peregryn

No nor doiers otherrs neither, for you haue harde that Sir Edwarde Harbert was allwaies shor at by them and others, but if he might haue had, both men and countenaunce to haue prosecuted the kinges county affaiers he would quickly haue cleered that roaste.

Silvyn

It is greate pittie but that the vertuous and true meaninge man shoulde be employed in such a daungerous tyme, but I may never forget, what a passion some of your greate seigniers suffer, that had subscribed, there was some helpinge frendes that farthered this devyse.

Peregryn

Your may well be assured of that for the woulf was neuer better matcht with a leash of greyhoundes, then one of the subscribers was bayted with a fox, a fitcher and a raven, from which three verymine, he lyke a moore cock that shrowdes himself in the bottom of a rotten hedge, when he espieth the spannyell, tooke such a feuer/feder? lurdayne that he kept sanctuary till huntinge tyme was passed, and pact away lyke a rat that had stowlen a candle.

Silvyn

I will never ask you no more interpretacions for I smell him as farre as the ould baley but now I trust we huae allmoste deone with Aphaley for the yeere is neere hande ended.

Peregryn

Now truly brother, I haue not far to proceede but I will growe to an ende with those partes, but as yet Mr Tirrell kepeth his estate there as yet: And in the meane tyme vppon the xv of September 1598 vpp cometh Orowrk that periurate basilisk into Westmeath, and enters Sir John Tirrelles country, with a hundreth horsmen, and as many shot mounted behynde them: which he let slip vppon the svddaigne, and he preas all that quarter where Tirrelles ffrendes dwelt, and kild sundry gentillmen of his kindred, with some burninge done besydes and so departed, and for that the other parte of the country beinge enemies to Richard Tirrelles proceedinges, should not laugh his ffrendes to scorne on the next daye followinge, he preaed and spoyled them, and so betwene ii imperious miscreantes that country was spoyled.

Silvyn

Why what did Sir John Tirrell in the meane time

Peregryn

What did he marry both himself and his vntrayned rysinges owt, adventured vppon Orowrke  p.86 326v right manfully, allthough they deerely paid for it at Orowrkes handes, but when the traitor Tirrell came; Sir John was gon to Dublin., so that he carried away some CCth cowes in peace, which were devyded emongst his graceles crewe: and so Owny O Moore departed into Leix to reap that which other men had sowed.

Silvyn

I thinck so indeede, but pittie it is, that the well meaninge man, and true subiect, should be thus vsed withowt revendge, but it cannot be otherwyse as longe as theire neighbours will not assist them.

Peregryn

Ogh Sir a many of them, will not stick to say, why shoulde we serve, and have no enterteignment of her maiestie, as though they were not bownde by theire tenures to doe the same; but as Teige oge o doynes awnswere was, when he was willed by some greate man to certifie of the enemies proceedinges, and to barre them from intercourse into the country, by reasone of his advauntage of the straight at Clare: and to doe as much, as in him did lye: he certified by his letter, that all his men were gon to the rebelles, and no boddy to kepe his castell but a boy & himself: and so canne his next neighbour haue threscore men in warde: and yet suffer to passe to and fro quietly. withowt any impeachment.

Silvyn

I pray the speake no more of them, for then hast plagued them to much allreadye and hardly they two are to be matched.

Peregryn

Matched¦ yes I warrant you. I cane fynde one that carieth away his estate with greate credit, but not of so open and groase a condicion as they are: but yet for a subtill wit exceed them bothe: and may doe more with a worde then they with a sworde.

Silvyn

What a goodyeere is hee, hathe this greate volvme neuer made mencion of him as yet.

Peregryn

No Sir not by name yet a mighty one indeede, and raunger of the two forrestes: which the oulde Sir Henry Cowley: sometymes seneshall of the kinges countye, the Christmas before he dyed, toulde to certaine of his ffrendes then present, that when any hurte shoulde happen vnto Aphaley, it shoulde proceede from one of those two forrestes, and so I toulde vnto the Erle of Sussex, when the countrie was first given, for that Englishmen were planted therein: which nowe is come to passe: this ranger kepeth a dozen brace of foresters, who will not let a deere go owt of that chace where is lodge is, without barking and byting too except thy, be such as be of the other forrest and then they eate theire venysonne togither with greate mirth and Iollytie; but not longe sithernce, a certaine keper of Stoane downe Parke, whose deere were consvmed by heavy hande, had warrant from the masters of the forrests and chaces, to take vp as many deere, as shoulde stoare his parke againe, who understandinge, what good stoare there was in the forrest with the lodge, drew thither with two brace of greyhowndes and eight capple of howndes, and so toke livery and seasonne of fower deere of Awntcleere; which he toke away with him, vppon which the forresters boyes, certified theire masters, who presently lyke robin hoodde and his merry men, being furnished ad omnia quare, woulde haue rescued the deere (notwithstandinge the warrant, with that a fierce greyhounde much lyke Mister Hall of Granthams clarke of his kitchin, seeing one of the forresters to encoradge the rest to werry both the keeper, himself and company gaue the same forrester, such an assay of an enchaunted potion, that he will neuer ryse againe till doomes day, at which heavy mischaunce, the rest of his companions in harmes, retyred back to theire lodge with grief, Now when the ranger come hom, and hard what was happened, sware by no beggars, that it should coste him CCli but he would hange bothe the keeper and his greyhownd and so with all expedicion poasteth to the masters of the forrests and chaces: and theire exhibited a most heynous complaynt, especially agaynst the keper., who was driven to awnswere the bill, wherin p.88 327v he so cvnningly compassed his busynes, that he prooved the forlorne forester an owtlaw, and the ranger worthy to be fyned to enterteigne such kynde of personnes as were not amenable to law, (of which sorte he kept some stoare: when Master Ranger had viewed the kepers awnswere; and fynding therein such matter, as was not to his lykinge, staied neither replyinge, or farther proceeding.

Silvyn

I partely knowe him, for I haue sene him at Masters/Mistress? GG in honye lane. What we done yet with Aphaley.

Peregryn

Yea. allmoste for now Tirrell havinge made all suer in those coastes: sends for Owny O moore and so they pack into Mounster with aucthority from Lucifer to create a new desmonde, and after that ceremony done overthrowes and banisheth allmost all the Englishmen in Mounster, in a moment, the conqueringe whereof: coste both her maiestie many thousand powndes. Besydes the losse of a greate nomeber of her soldiers and for that travayled not all into those partes, I will referre that to them, that was there present.

Now sone after mighellmas, that notorious Cannyball Teig Mc Murrough: being pardoned as aforesaid, notwithstandinge all his villainies and owtradges, formerly comitted: and remaigning sometymes at Dublin, and sometymes at Rathangan, a manner belonging to Erle of Kildare: where he was verry well acquaynted, and beinge had in no mistrust betraies that stately house, with all the riches and goodes therein, and shares it with his cosen vermaignes the connors to the greate hinderance of her maiesties service in those partes the house standinge so aptly therefore.

And nowe with one dolefull tragedy more I mean to ende with Aphaley.

Silvyn

Yea¦ I thought somuch: that your conclusion woulde tende to no other purpose.

Peregryn

Now aboute Allhallautyde 1598; when the viperous O Connors thought; that all thinges were theire owne in Aphaley, if they coulde accomplish Croghan, and Baley Brittaigne, havinge enterteigned Teig McCales sonnes into theire fraternity, being bretheren to Terence O Connor formerly spoken of & so they with the honest Omoloyes: Ioygne themselves togither and enterteignes one William O Meoney, an onely follower, and servaunt of Sir Thomas Moores, whose credit with his master and wealth by him gotten was such; that any honestman, might haue lived contented with the tythe thereof., yet when the devill hath entred a breach into such kynde of people, he neuer leaueth them; till they performe somewhat to their owne distruction, so this vngracious disciple, with other his consortes to the nomeber of tenne more/nowe? in the housse: drawes in those reprobates ouer the ditches and watters aboute some three howers before day at a place by west the house nere adiogninge to a chamber, where gentle Gifford with his wyfe, then lay: who heeringe such a mighty noyse: And the enemy ready to enter the chamber where they were: came downe from thence into the hall which is wyde and spacious, where fyndinge his weaponnes, stood to his defence: buit being ouerlaid was their throwne downe, with many a wounde, his wyfe to saue him was also moste grevously hurte in many places of her body: Sir Thomas Moore then lyinge in the Castell, heeringe such a noyse in the hall, came forth and fought but being ouermatched, thinckinge to haue recouered himseld from them, withowt harme at the enteringe of the castell doare; was thrust in it a sworde into the boddy: the ould lady his wyfe being abroade was taken prisoner: then the enemy, hauvinge entred within the first dore, thought to haue wonne the castell, but Capten Giffords  p.90 328v Lieutenant Whitehedd; beinge in a lofte ouer theire headdes dischardged a pece emongst them and so hit that traytor Caier Mc Teige, so that he packt to his master Belzubub: all this whyle those two sweete creatures lay in the hall the one bemoaninge the other of theire misfortunes, in the darke and Capten Gifford having lyfe in him, wished his wyfe: that if she might, to get a candle: and desyer some of those villaines that then were spoylinge of the owt houses, whom she was acquaynted with to carry him owt of the way: which she did and calling to one that sometyme had bene his boy, wished him to help his master: but he as honest as the rest, went to that miscreant Murtagoh Oge McTirlaghe, whom as you harde, was so much behouldinge vnto him: and tould him: that the capten was yet alyve: who awnswered that there others that had more comaunde in this accion then he had and therefore would doe nothinge therein. All which a brother of Shane Ballaghes, that Capten Gifforde killed at Clonbouley, vnderstandinge went vnto him forthwith as he lay on the grownde and with his skeyne, cut his throate, the lady at her goinge away with the enemy and in respect of her age was carried betwene two of the reprobates, those of the castell thinckinge not of her, shot at the troope and hurte her in the shoulder, but er euer it were long, she was deliuered back by the meanes of her daughter, marryed to callogh O moloy., during this bickerment at Croghan: one Edmond Coulgan, a farmer vnder the said Sir Thomas: thincking that the castell had bene taken: poastes to Baleybrittaigne: to a brother of his named Patrick Coulgan: who was marryed to Ashleys daughter, an Englishman sometyme  p.91 329r Constable of Balleybrittaigne (a lordship of Sir Henry Warrennes, and now one Roger Ashely his sonne doth execute the said place, who at the coming of the said Edmonde was gon abroade with other of the warde leavinge none within savinge one Edward Ashley his brother then ensigne to Capten William Warren: who then was a bed: now when the said Edmond had toulde his brother that Croghan was taken by the Connors: and they anctient followers of theires: thought that they coulde doe theire master devilles no better service then betray that castell vnto them and for the causes aforesaid being had in in no mistrust, entred the castell, and toke possession thereof, and bownd the said Edward Ashley: wherevppon the said Patrick Coulgan mounted to the top of the castell and called to his brother in law Roger Ashley, and wished him to depart for that he had taken the same to the vse of Lishagh McCallogh Oconnor: who with his power would come thither presently, At which kynde of greetinge, the constable was not a litle mooued, (as I coulde not blame him, yet he gathered curridge to him and so mounted a lather vpp to a window, and willed others of his comepany to assault the doare of the castell whylest he got vp thither, to kepe the villaignes occupyed in two places, where the said Patrick dischardged a pece at him but missed, so that he and one harvye a verry tall fellow, that had marryed his elder brothers wyfe, an Englishmans daughter, entrid with him lykewyse, and so when the two miscreantes saw that, slew him that was now bownde: vppon which Roger Ashley coapt his brother in law Patrick and put him to the worse, and deliuered him to harvy, who  p.92 329v kept him safe enough: then the said counstable ranged vpp and downe the Castell to fynd owt Edmonde O Coulgan, and so in a darke entry fownde him. (who had gotten the parties weapones that was slayne; and beinge a stronge fellowe held vpp the counstable verry harde whose sworde was verry naught; for he coulde not come by his owne, so that the villaigne gaue him many a soare wounde, in the end the castell doare was opended and one of Sir Henry Warrens men, drew owt his sworde, and ranne at him but could not enter his fleash, vppon which a horseboy toke a calyver, and knoct owt his braynes: and so those wicked traytors, were carried forth to a dingle and theire hewed in pieces. For any other newes, saving the taking of Trulock, a kinsman by marriadge vnto Sir George Cowley: whose sonne was formerly massacred; and the losse of the said Sir George his castell, of dromecooley and the hesker; I hard of no other newes worth the wryting., And so an ende with the country of Aphaley, for I came away when James Fitzgerrald and his brother Edward entred into accion (two base brothers of the Erle of Kildares but notable rebelles.

Silvyn

I neuer thought otherwyse, but theise villaignes would requyte their ffosterers in this kynde of sorte in the ende, but now sithence you haue made ane ende with the country: I pray you shew me what kynde of thinges is the castell and forte of Phillipstowne: for I doe assure myself, they be places of greate pryce, and famous in those partes  p.93 330r for the preservacion of the countries adiogning.

Peregryn

The fforte is but a slight thinge, sometyme envyroned aboute with a stoane wall of small strength., havinge a gatehouse; and three Other flanckers in the middest of euery quarter, and a house for the lieutenant (when any was there.) to ly in called the frame, And in the middest, standeth the castell, which was raysed vppon an oulde fowndacion: when the country was first conquered, but bothe castell and forte growe alltogether rvynous, and allmoste not worthy to be spoken of.

Silvyn

Why that is a greate pittie, that such thinge should not be maynteigned, and I am suer though that some parte of the wall be fallen, yet the fowndacion was stronge enough, to haue borne the stoanes againe.

Peregryn

Yea brother; but there was a farther meaninge in it, for I take the forte to be no lesse then sixtene score yardes aboute: and when the wynde was at the easte (especially in winter tyme, the estates that then lay there, could not well abyde, neather the vigor thereof., nor be ffree from the contynvall concourse of suiters & others, that presvmed to enter before they were called. (and for the speedy preventinge of those inconvenyences, and to be at more ease for want of other matter, they quartered forth a courte yarde, with the decayed wall of the forte; leavinge the breach lyke elbow lane and so it contynved vntill these warrs, which was rampiered vpp with earthe by the forsight of Lieutenant Rushen. And as for the deepe ditches, about the walles, they haue bene so providently lookt vnto, from tyme  p.94 330v to tyme, that they be more lyker meddowes then ditches, but to say the troathe, all the buyldinges now, which haue bene fayer lodginges in tymes past, are more lyke vnto rvynes then places of her maiesties, which maketh the miscreantes thinck, that now in accion, that the English inhabitantes of Aphaley are nothinge reguarded (when such ffortresses are suffered to goe to rvynne.

Silvyn

Why then I perceaue, there hathe bene careles husbandry (ab origine: but I pray you tell me; is the castell gor to wrack in the lyke sorte, or who wayted shee vppon for her repaired suites.

Peregryn

The castell, when she was first espoused was an inheritance, of some fower plough land a half, with some comodities therto belonginge, duringe which tyme she was maignteigned verry well in apparrell: with her costly felt of leade: but after shee had buryed her first husbande, she was marryed to a seconde, who vppon some especiall ocasion him mightely moovinge toke away her landes and put her to her pencion; which is growne to be so small and her ?land? [something metaphorical] so longe to come before it will retourne into her handes againe: that shee was driven for pure neede to sell away her leaden felt, that couered the platfourmed hed from all weathers, and learne to imitate the churles of fengall: being glad to weare a strawe hat of half a crowne in steed of her good felt, so that now beinge driven to this shift, shee hath often sued for a divorce, but yet canne get none: by reasonne that she  p.95 331r is cleane destitute of, corne, grasse, and woodlande, to maynteigne hospitallitie., that neither batcheler nor widdower, will venter vppon her: If that shee could procure the same.

Silvyn

Nowe. owt alas, whom is that good Quene delt with, (yet it is no mervaiele, as the oulde proverbe is, every man for himself and god for vs all. And so it doth well appeere by the former relacion, now I perceaue: you haue done with the kinges county, I pray you let me here somewhat of Connaght.

Thus endeth the seconde booke.

3.

Peregryn

ffor matters happeninge in Connaght, I canne say litle: more then it was fortvne to be in place, where I harde a discourse betwene an oulde soldiour, of those partes in tymes paste, and a travayler accustomed to buy cattell, in the said province.

Silvyn

I pray you let me here it, for I haue allwaies desyred to here of such thinges, that haue happened there, and the rather that Sir Richard Bingham served there sometymes, whose government as I haue harde reported, was to easy for such a stiff necked people: but no doubt he hath bene wished by the English there rezidinge many tymes sithence his departure, And now to the matter.

The Thirde boke entreateth of matters effected in Connaght and Vlster

Soldier

Mr Jacob, you are moste hartely wellcom from Conaght, I pray you what is the best newes there.

Jacob

Noe truly fellow soldier, I haue litle or nothing worthe the tellinge, for I loue not to entermeddle, with any mans matters but with myne owne privie affaiers.

Soldier

Yet I pray you let me but ask you how my oulde ffrendes doe, as Mr John Croftonne, Mr George Goodeman, Mr Martyne Lisley, Mr John Newtonne, Mr Richard Graftonne, Mr Birchell and honest Phinehes Clay, the provoaste martialles deputy, Mr Henry Ormesby, and diuers others of mynde acquayntance, for you knowe it is longe sithence I was in those partes.

Jacob

I knowe it right well, and as for those gentillmen with a nomeber of others, whose names are to tedious here to set downe, haue prayed for oulde Sir Richarde Binghame (though now Antragh, as the Irish proverbe is (to late.

Soldier

It is a greate matter, for many of them, which here shalbe nameles (coulde not kepe him whilst they had him, but must needes bee in theire innovacions: so that some of them, coulde never a true Anthem of Legum pone sithence:, It is tould me by a frend that the province of Conaght is verry quyet in these daies.

Jacob

It muste needes be quyet, for a man may travaiele longe enough there, before he see any boddy, to fall owt with him for a night ceasse.

Soldier

Then it apperes that the country is waste, how doe they then pay the soldiers.

Jacob

Marry then let them live vpon theire lendinges (if they can get it from Mr Threasurer, for Mr composicion: And Mr Revenew with theire  p.97 332r kinsmen, fynes, casualties, and amercementes, are fall a slomber, since Sir Richard Bingham went from thence, and I thinck will not be awakened in a seu'night of Christmases.

Soldier

I ensuer you I am glad, I cam away when I did; and how went the Journey forwarde at Baleyshannon.

Jacob

I was not there, and loathe I am to declare any particularities towchinge the Journey: but suer I am that governor now there, had a greate army, aswell of soldiers as of the rysinges owt. But whither for want of provision of victuall or mvnicon, or by what chaunce I knowe not; after he had thought to haue recouered the same. He was forced to repaier away with speed, the enemy comminge so freashely vppon him: with the losse of the Lorde of Inchequyn that was drowned by venturinge ouer somewhat to rashley, and his lieutenant Mr Osborne and Sir Henry Norrices lieutenant named Maunde, with diuers others slaigne; and glad so to escape.

Soldier

Well Jacob, I seur the day: the enemy coulde not easely haue prevayled against our people, but since these farlandish deuyses, trickes, conceipts and termes (as fylinges, haltes, randevooes. and a nomeber the lyke (came in vse here, the enemy neuer so muche florished, well I pray you tell me, how that rascell Haggerd shiftes, emongst them that towers so high.

Jacob

Let him alone for he soares aloft still, for whosoeuer is huntsman in those partes, he will not be the hindmost hownde., but for all his sweete mouthe It is naturally given him to hunt counter still.

Soldier

It is agreate fault in such, that when they haue had, so longe experience of such vnworthy guestes: they leaue them not to suffer, for theire dissemblinge huntinge, but he must live to play some other pageant, for if happely theire chaunceth  p.98 332v an alteracion, he cryeth a new master a new., but emongst the rest how fareth Theobaldo Longo.

Jacob

He hath a chardge; and hath done feates of armes in the county of Maio, and hath put wardes in castle barre, Clonnegashill Mc Jourdaynes chief house, and diuers other places, and is well countenaunced by the governour, with promis that he will assist him in the procuring of the gift, of any such places as he shall recouer from the enemy:

Soldier

What favour in shorte time: will make him aspyere to be a mac william, and thence once at the highest: he will foregt from whence he cam, but I had allmost let slipp a braue harmefull creature Hugh McTirlagh roe.

Jacob

He is a greate man, and bothe he and hugh O Connor dvnne hath kearne and shot in pay.

Soldier

No doubt but they will doe greate service emongst the bullies.

Jacob

Yes but they will, for the gouernour hath taken in all the best pledges (in the province, and sent them to gallway: for beinge the better assured of the countries alledgeance.

Soldier

In that poynt the Governour doeth, as beseemeth, but for the erecting of such kynde of people as they are (especially that Crocodill Hugh McTirlagh roa: a noted traytor against good government, I mervaiele not a litle.

Jacob

Well Sir those two fellowes scornes the names of captens, thinckinge it to base  p.99 333r a style for theire greatnesses.

Soldier

Why what other name, doe they attribute to themselues.

Jacob

Marry Seignieur Soldato, they call themselues Territory comaunders, havinge theire Lieutenant Traynors vnder them, to bringe vp theire followers to learne the feates of Armes, to ouertoppe such as you are.

Soldier

Now truly I thinck so indeede; for theire hathe bene so many such scollers, trayned vp in that province, that moste of the bandes (except the new supplies forth of England (are Conaght men. And of the right stampe for treacherye for some of them were at the murtheringe of Capten George Bingham, and Capten ffieldew, at the Rasing of Sligo, and betrauyinge of Arran, but moste of them actors in rebellion as I haue hard, but I pray you canne you tell me, what the chiefest cause was that so many of those provinciall libertynes, should drawe into all partes of the realme. and the governour havinge cause to vse them there.

Jacob

As I haue bene informed, the first cause was that in respect the provynce was wasted, by the entercourse, aswell of the northerne enemy: as by those libertynes of the province themselues, victualles and other necessaries (where comon hostillitie is grew scarce.) so that theire first abetters and setters on, cast them of and submitted themselues, to her maiesties mercy, (by which meanes havinge no goodes of theire owne, neither any employment from her maiesty in those partes, made suite to the governour that they might passe into Leinster, and to serve there against her maiesties enemies; who wysly wayinge the offer to be good., to ridd his governement of such a reabble, poasted them over the bridge of Athloane into Leymster, where now they swarme not onely in bandes, but in  p.100 333v weomen, boyes and beggars, and what honest rule they kepe the worlde may Judge of, for two of the Omaddens, and one of the Naughtonnes, at my coming being at Phillipstown were came up for no other cause but for goinge aboute to betray the castell, and what mynatory wordes proceedes from them, in generall it would make the honest hart relent.

Soldier

Well Seignieur Jacob you shall here that these kynde of subtle companions now entred Leimpster and other places to serve in her maiesties pay: doe but even counterfeict the grasier of England: who devydeth his pasture into cloases, the sooner to make his cattell fit for the shambles, forseing theire owne country of Connaght, overrunn, and nothing therein left, to suffice theire myndes and belllies, shiftes themselues into other countries, takinge the sweetnes thereof, vntill theire owne be growne rype againe; and some of the right stampe haue busynes for them, and then a suddayne retreict is sounded, home, home., for her maiesties pay is nothing then with them, vnles they may haue the spoyle of towne and country where they come. And no pvnishment for any owtradge they comit because they are so stronge whereas they serve, but in deede one Thomas Bourke with the yellow lockes, that was at Sligo when Capten George Bingham was slaigne, was taken tardy, for strykinge of Ensigne Ashley and hanged by Sir Warham Sctledger.

Jacob

I protest vnto thee soldier, thou saieth true, and a verry good pece of service, in doing the same.,

Soldier

Truely Seignieur Jacob, it is a perillous world, for you remember how the bases condicioned rouges of Connaght (when Sir John Norris was there) thundered owt  p.101 334r matter against that renowned Sir Richard Bingham; whose lyfe, actes, paynes and governement was such, in that estate, that neither for ordynary warrs, or any other affaiers or extraordinary warrs beinge a growinge chardge in that province, was litle or nothing at all, chardgeable or payable, owt of her maiesties transported threasure. for Ireland, And also when that might commaunder Sir John Norros then lieutenant generall of her maiesties fforceis, had the most puissant army at Balinroabe, against Odonell and his associates that hath bene lightly harde of since the conquest, yet trustinge rather to a peace (which happely he with the some others he had certified into England) loste one of the best opportvnities that euer was harde of in that lande., as the Enemy coulde verry well reporte afterwardes themselues.

Jacob

I remember there was a solider of Sir George Bowrchiers: that figure owt, that if Sir Richard Bingham had bene there; it shoulde either bene his, or Odonelles.

Soldier

In deede there was such a matter, but the fellow had bene hanged if he had bene knowne for speakinge the truthe., but as these caterpillers of Connaght said, that Sir Richard Bingham was neuer well, but when he was in Armes, yet I canne tell you this muche: that he that thincketh to make an established Comon wealth in Connaght with the worde; and put away the sworrde, may make vpp his accompte with him, that coulde bringe tenne to nothinge, ffor I tell you the worlde had experience, in that oulde Seignieur, that bothe in martiall, and pollitique causes, he might not easely be ouerreached, And as for the mannadginge of the affaiers of that province: duringe the tyme the generall (which was longe) and the yearely  p.102 334v raysinge of her maiesties rentes and revenewes there: (to deifray it self, beinge at his first entrie a thing of no moment, besydes sundry his victories atchieued againest her maiesties enemies, and his iust dealinge and payment made to euery man, I must not see scarce a true patterne thereof in my tyme.

Jacob

Well my good soldier, I canne say thus much in mynde owne knowledge, that as longe as the Connacians were kept vnder, and not suffered to swarne in troopes but forced to followe the plough and grasinge of cattell, all thinges florished, and her maiestie was well paied her rent, but once they got the reyne and permitted to take Armour and weapin vppon them (a greate parte whereof Sir Richarde had depryued them of before, then woulde they enduer no cvrbe, and what will become of those erected bandes of the Irish within a whyle I know not: except to rebellion againe: for thye looke suer upon theire dischardge, to haue either landes or pencions.

Soldier

By the pittie of a pilcharde that is true: And I ensuer you, I know not to waht vse they will serve, except they may be shipt for Nova hispania, China or any other of those goulden places that be farre of, for you knowe her maiestie hath no gallies to exercyese theire Armes (and if she had, they woulde doe ther greate service, for theire lymbs are bothe lardge and stronge:, And if they be let a grasinge agayne, they will quickly make fyer enough, though the subiect pay for the roaste., but I had allmoste forgot my self to ask you of the estate of Athloane.

Jacob

The Towne was burned by mischaunce and Sir Conyers Clifford gaue the inhabitants Cli towardes the buyldinge of the same againe.

Soldier

That was well donne, of the Governour but I pray you what is become of Balleymoate.

Jacob

Marry Sir¦ even gon ffrom vs, to her oulde masters, the Clondonaghes agayne, for Sir Conyers as he thought, has placed there as counstable a verry sufficient gentillman of his owne retynew, who coulde neuer take rest in his bedde, for the greate lamentacion that the desolate Sligo made beinge abandoned of all her good English frendes, and neuer a sister of hers of any reputacion (except Coolooney) woulde either comfort her, or mourne with her for comepany.

Soldier

Why I am suer the constable, coulde neither here or be troubled with such fantasies, being twelve longe myles off., and as I take it, this is but some of your ould Kilkenny visions.

Jacob

Well, for all your sportinge quibbes, he was not withowt thre vesselles of Kilkenny potions when he toke so greate pitty of the lamentacion aforesiad, that either by negligence or fatall destenye, some of my cosen Clondonaghs, beinge there mixed emongst the warde: betrayed mr counstable, withdrawinge forthe of his trustieth people, leavinge few within; but himself and the porter, who was killed by one of that graceles crew, and so bothe house, counstable and all Englishmen taken (with mighty spoyl besydes.

Soldier

And is that good houlde gone, that hath coste the Good Quene Elizabeth so much, with the carefull gettinge thereof by Sir Richard Bingham, and buyldinge vp and maynteigned by hym and his brother Sir George., to theire no litle  p.104 335v chardges, and now loste in this careless sorte, then shee accomepany her sister Sligo in deede, and if the better heede be not taken, the boyle and Tulsk will follow after, and then they may bothe offer vpp theire oblacions in those two Anctient Abbies, and get a dispencacion, to haue all waste betwene that and Athlone. And then farewell Conaght.

Jacob

I protest vnto thee, thou saieth true: for I lyke not the loosinge of such places, for now the county of Sligo is wholy gon, but I must needs say the governor had ill fortvne, to loase it for as I remember he was lieutenant of Sir Richarde foteband when Balleymoate was first wonne

Soldier

It is very true, but it is longe sithence, for his small aboade in Connaght at the first: And his greate discontynvauncies sithence; brought him some what owt of square, to maundge and governe; suche a treacherous people In whom except the Erles of Thoemonde, Clanricarkard and the Lorde Birmindgham: with some of theire dependantes there is small helpe of theire alledgeances, for as I vnderstand by others, the governour giues them landes, feeds them with mony, and fayer wordes, which if he withdrew neuer so litle from them, away they are gon, if they had giuen in: never so many pleadges, or taken a thowsand oathes to be true., but if he mynde to reforme them, he must follow the course of his Anctient commaunder and predecessor, (who as oulde as he was) kept no saunctuary in Athloane, nor in Roscommon, when he was there, but in campe day and night, takinge tenne tymes more paynes, then moste men p.105 336r aboute hym, vntill he had reduced that decayed estate, into a formall comon wealth, And so would haue contynved the same, if his enemies malignantes, had bene suppressed; and his inocency and true meaninge preferred.

Jacob

Well fellow souldier, it had bene better for her maiestie, and the good subiect of Irelande, by more mony then I will speake of, that good Sir Richard had not bene so remoued nor so vexed and overtopped as he was:, And his councell followed., well knowinge and forseinge of the eventes of thinges to come, but he was to good for this country, And so it apereth, for we are allmoste, as nere to seeke Ireland, as at the first conquest, God amend all that is amis.

Soldier

You haue said the truth, but I pray you how escapes George Lane at Tulsk.

Jacob

Marry not longe sithence that Archtraytor Hugh McTirlagh Roa O Connor, had gotten the vpper parte of the Castell, and George havinge left some bourdes loose of the hall loft to come into the seller, discended downe thither with some of his people vnknown to the traytor and his comepany. They drew vpp the bourdes, and thought to come into the seller, but he slew six of them at one clapp, wherevppon the fearfull rascall with his comepany pact then away: and so the castell and house recouered againe.

Soldier

That was well done in deede, but in what credit is Brian O Rourke with the governor.

Jacob

He, I marry, was hee: with Sir Conyers, but he serued him as good a trick as any  p.106 336v caterpiller of them all., for when he thought he had bene suer of him, And vppon the same threw owt wordes of quietnes and peace to all partes of the province and borders adioigninge O Rourke lyke a sly companion (beinge buzd in the eare from the Northe.) plaied the Curre dog, and retourned to his vomit agayne:, And then all our publicacions, scryvinges, and wrytinges, were driven to a non plus, And so I end with Connaght.

Soldier

I moste hartely thanck you good brother Jacob, and if I live, I will make you parte of the amendes for the greate paynes taken in this matter.

Fyinis Conacie

Peregryn

Now good brother Sylvynne, how lyke you these Connaght ocurrances.

Silvyn

I protest vnto you: I lyke their discourse well: but for ought I canne perceaue, her maiestie is as farr to seeke, in Connaght as shee is in other places., you haue treated of, and all for the displacinge and disgracinge of father experience (for as I perceaue this that gouerneth there is a valyant gentillman but he is to much ouertaken, with gevinge trust to the wicked and enterteigning of those country people: one to serve against another, not rememberinge the ould proverbe, that one wolf will not prea vppon another, now I pray you Let me here of some Vlster newes: for I am suer you are acquaynted with some honest man that hath Travayled the northe.

Peregryn

I haue nothinge. but a coppy of a letter that a frend of mynde gave mee, at my being in Irelande.

Silvyn

I pray you Let me here it: for I longe to knowe the proceedinges of Lucyfer.

Vlster Occurrences

After my verry harty comendacions &. I haue receaued your kynde epistle; wherein I vnderstand all the estate of Aphaley: with the succes of our ffrendes there., which grieveth me not a litle, And allthough the newes be not greately to any lykinge: ywt for that I woulde be loath to dye in your debt: not knowinge when I shall repaier homewardes, beinge also by your self therevnto required, straigned my groase capacitie, to acquaynte you with some of these northerne affaiers: And allthough I cannot make a particular declaracion of every accident theire happeninge, yet will I briefly roave at them, as neere as I may, not doubtinge but they shalbe well accepted at your masterships handes, how rude soeuer they be set downe, and so ad rem.

First as it shoulde seme, when relacion had bene in England, what small succes the cessacions had: betwene Sir John Norris then Lieutenant Generall, And the traitor Tyroane: in which tyme of peace, most treacheries were effected; and tyme worne owt to no other purpose, but to thadvantadge of the enemy: and the greate chardge of her maiestie: with the Impouerishinge of all the English Pale., and the borders adioigning, by the often recourse; to and fro of the Army, besydes the intollerable somes of mony, and victualles extorted (by the brittaigne troopes, duringe the tyme they were ceassed in the pale or in any other place whersoeuer, for all was fish that came to net, As for theire infantry footemen, (as they  p.108 337v Tearme  ⁸ (could right well handle the matter, as Westmeath. and other places canne reporte. So that it was but neede, to provyde a present salue; to cure so greate a soare; least in shorte tyme it might haue growne remediles. And vppon that¦ the noble lorde Thomas Burgh, was sent ouer deputie, to suppie the place of that right worthie and honorable knight, Sir William Russell, whose valure and governement was such: if his governement had bene sole: Ireland had not tasted so much of scarcety as it did, and dothe; by suche extorte measure, nor the raginge of so many thowsand reprobates now spronge vpp: to annoy both prince and subiect., for thou knowest, that I am not alltogither Ignorant in the readinge of histories: which declare the sole governement to be the beste (for the knowledge whereof¦ I will referre thee to Quintus Curtious to Plutarck and others, who treateth of the Romaynes and Grecians & of the macedonians, yea and to our English chronicles to: for as the worlde went, that noble knight, had the title and honour of Lord Deputy: but the Lieutenant generalles warrantes went currant for all thinges: so that in that poynte (his title as aforesaid excepted (no better then a threasurer and a victualler: to se him supplied with all necessaries: but now it may be, some will say: that he had his aucthority: and so had they bothe., and with greate reasonne it was done, that he might ease the Lord Deputy, as was by the higher powers thought meete, but he, that had bene so mighty a comaunder, as Sir John had bene woulde be all in all, in his martiall affaires, or els nothing; so even as betwene two Ceasars Rome went to wrack: so will Ireland to, if it be not looked to in tyme, but admit the Lieutenant Generall haue his aucthoritie, from the Lord deputie: then muyst he serve at his commaund, and not stand vppon poyntes which order went well in Ireland, when that course was houlden: and yet I must not hastly poaste away with that right  p.109 338r worthy Sir William Russell, who in all his affaiers that he toke in hande, aboute martiall causses, had good succes, and for his last farewell, toke of that moste pestilent monster, feugh mchugh, the verry chiefe councelor, harborer & fosterfather of all traytors., And if I were to enter into Sir William Russelles services beinge withowt the compas of my Ulsterian occurrances: I could shew you what worthy matters hee atchieued of himself as in Omaddens country, the burnes and other places.

After this noble gentillman had surrendered the sworde, and the right honorable the Lorde Burgh established in the governement, he lingered not the tyme, but as conveniently as he might, drewe downe his fforceis towardes the fforte at Blackwater: beinge then in the possession of the Traytor Tyroane, and encampinge at Armagh, toke forthe of his Army some thowsande of his moste approued soldiers, and left the rest, in that place till farther direction from him., and so in the night tyme marched towardes the fforte with such expedicion that before Tyroanes warde was once aware, he was vppon theire walles, and ready to enter, At which svddaine and vnlooked for greetinge, after the dischardginge of some few shot away the warde ffledd and left the forte to his lordship, killing but one only soldior.

When that his honor had wonne the same he razed it with the grownde and buylded one not farre from the same, of a larger scoape, In the meane tyme he was assayinge, how he might passe to Dvngannon: and so ffrom thence to Loghfoyle, where he had appointed many barkes with victuall and other necessaries to meet him., but in respect of the greate pace, which he with his Army must passe: and the Erle Traitor with his forceis, withstandinge him to the vttermoste, knowinge that if his honour did passe there, he were in great possibilitie to loese all, made that place good, and fronted his honour in moste warlyke manner, well  p.110 338v fforseeinge he had no other way: wherevppon divers small skirmishes were Attempted on bothe sydes, In which at the first, our syde had the better, but in the ende, our greate cavaleroes adventuringe to haue entred the pace, on horsback were encountered by the enemye, who lay in Ambush ready for them, And there slew one Mr Vaughan, my lordes brother in law, Capten Turner seriant maior, besydes diers to me vnknowne, to the greate grief of our Army, and hinderaunce of the service, which with some lenger forbearaunce, might haue bene comepassed which they withowt direction adventured, to the losse of theire Lyves, and to no purpose at all.

After this mishapp, his honour seinge no possible meanes to Accomplish his desier, except he had bene able to haue had another convenient Army, to haue landed at Loghfoyle and so to haue set vppon the Erle Traytor on all sydes, victualled the fforte placinge therein as Counstable, a valyant gentillman named Capten Williams, with some CCth soldiers, And after brake vp campe, and retourned to the Newry, where making but small aboade, drew towardes the Cavan in Awreyleis country, and there placed Sir Christopher Sct Lawrence, comaunder of certaine comepanies there laied in garrysone, And then repaiered to Dublin., And there not contynvinge longe, for that hee considered the proporcion of victuall left with Capten Williams at the forte, was neere hand consvmed, drew thitherwardes agayne with as much expedicion as might be, And even the same day he cam to Armagh, Tyroanes fforceis had beleaguered the forte, and in the ende; the most valyantest men in his retynewe vndertook to wynne the same, for that they had perfect intelligence, that the warde was not onely sick and vnserviceable for the moste parte but all theire victualles consvmed, And so advauncing  p.111 339r themselues vpp vpon theire scalinge ladders, gaue a wonderfull, and moste bould assault; contynvinge the same verry longe with greate resolucion, aswell in theire fight, as contynvally supplyinge of freash men in the places of the slaigne hurte and maymed., and with greate lykliehoode, they had wonne the same at that instant, if thye had met with a cravynne, as they buckled with a man of worth, ffor the worthie Constable Capten William, when he saw the enemy first aproachinge to him with so great a resolucion, An assured of theire intentes, comforted his soldiers in the best manner he might; And tould them that now it was the tyme, to shew themselues as beseemed men, of theire places, fightinge in the right of their Prince and country: which if it were theire fortvnes to withstande the enemies first assaulte, their natures and cowardyse was such, that either they woulde recule; or fight in greater feare to his and theire advauntadge, not doubting of the victory by the help of God; wherefore hee wished them in generall, as well the whoele that were verry ffew, as the sick personnes that could stand vp, and but advaunce theire weapons and to do theire duties, in that measure, as was fittinge for soldiors in theire case., the sight of which woulde be a terror to the enemy., And remembringe lykewyse what reputacion they should get, either lyvinge and dyinge lyke men: where on the contrary parte, no mercy was to be expected at thenemies handes if they should prevaiele against them; and shame and infamy for euer: if either they should yeld their bodies as prisoners, or by force to be taken by the lyke a sheepe goinge to the shambles: And therefore said he pull vp your hartes: for this hand of myne havinge a linstock therein, shall give fyer to this traigne, and bothe blowe you and my self vp into the skyes, rather then those miscreantes shall enioy, this chardge of myne; vppon which¦ every man, that was able to stand, and hould a weapon: beinge annymated to doe theire best, vppon those  p.112 339v former speeches, Cryed Owt, we will dy with honour to the last man., Then the Enemy beinge advaunced to the topp of the wall as aforesaid, and covetinge by all meanes to enter, were in that manner receaued by the soldiers., that the ditches were filled with theire deade corses; yet stood they to it right manfully, vntill they sawe, that the soldiors (contrary to theire expectacions) purposed to fight it owt to the last man; and for to make theire payment sterlinge, the two field pieces, planted in verry necessarie places, within the forte; and chardged, with muscet shot, paid them theire hyer, bothe cominge, stayinge and retourninge: and glad they were, (allthough it is a custome emongst them, to carry away as many deade corses and mayned men as they may, yet for all theire cvnninge they left xxxiiii behynde them in the ditches, with all theire ladders and some furniture, for a witnes they had bene there., but I ensuer you there was a nomber slaigne and hurte, that were conveyed away, and verry few of the warde either slaigne or hurte.

Vppon the next day the Lord Deputy drew towardes the forte, And at his arryvall made by oracion to the constable and soldiors greately comendinge bothe him and them, for theire good services, And after he had victualled the forte, and supplyed the same, with freash and able soldiers, he staied there not longe (havinge no farther determynacion at that tyme to seeke the enemy: yet at his retourne towardes the newry, a comepany of loose knaves beinge shrowded in shrubbes, dischardged a volew of shot, emongst certaine horssmen (emongst whom was slaigne that valiant man Capten Brit Sarient maior of Army.,

After my Lord Deputy was come to the Newry, he fell sick of what disease I knowe not, but even harde vppon michaellmas, lyinge but a small tyme afterward he dyed: to the greate grief of all her maiesties good subiectes, But it is even a scourge comonely incident to this land, that when a noble man, or worthy gentillman cometh ouer hither to doe the country good: Then either he is called away: when he intendeth moste the benefit of this naked Comon wealthe: beinge happely accused for dealinge with to much rigor, (which these libertynes cannot abyde) or els it pleaseth the allmighty to call him to his mercy, to our greater scourge that meane well to her maiesties? soveraigne: but if he be evill, and give the country the raynes, he doth bothe tarry longe, and not departe empty fisted, or els many reportes ar fals)., What a coyle was there in this Realme before the arryvall, of that most renowned the Lorde Arthur Grey, who came ouer in tyme, for if it ploughed but a small tyme longer, it was lyke to haue bene a black day with the English, but allthough his fortvne was somewhat hard at this first entry at the Glynnes, yet or euer he departed he measured, both the length and breadth of the myndes and doinges of the wicked (aswell appered by the gentillmen of the English Pales conspiracy, who well payd for their treachery yet must he needes poaste away before his full tyme. After he had vanquished the spanyardes at Smerick, hunted the rebelles in Mounster, and purposely was mynded to haue restoared this disordered kingdome, to a perfect comonwealth, if longer he had contynved. And truly I could recon vpp a nomeber more of the lyke good governors, but these before rehearsed, shalbe sufficient.

Not longe after the death of this moste noble man the Lord Burgh, that ffyerbrande of the Northe, beinge not a litle exulted with our bad hap, deales with the Traytor James McSorley booy, that faithles Scot, to Joygne in Amity, with him, being then in great trust with the estate, that he would worke some stratageme against Sir John Chichester, Governor of Clandeboy, and the Garrysonne of Carickphergus, well knowinge that if he might surprise them, And be master of that houlde, he might then haue all safe behynde him., And though the said periurate after the death of the Lord Deputy: well seing the traitor Tyroane was somewhat in better case to saue himself then before, wrote vnto him that he would doe him any service he might yet the Archtraitor Tyroane was loathe to trust him for all his frendly letters before he had effected some bluddy matter vppon the English, (the which he consented to doe, and to bringe his threasonne the better to passe, sends to Tyroane for more forces which he had sent him: vppon which¦ that periured villaigne, beinge in no mistrust with Sir John Chichester, sendes him worde that he shoulde meete with him at a place some six myles from Carickphergus and he would bringe him a pece of service, whose offer the knight toke to be gospell, and so when the tyme apointed cam: advaunced himself forwarde, havinge Capten Mansfield, Capten Constable, and Capten Marieman and others in his company and the nomeber of CCCth soldiers, but beinge come nere hand the place of meetinge, he might descry an extraordinary nomeber of ennemies, laid ready for him,  p.115 341r And in steade of bringinge the Governour to service, that trayterous and fals periured Scot served vpon him, and his comepany, who seinge no remedy fought it owt right manfully, vntill he, Capten Mansfield, and some CLxxx soldiers were slaigne, Capten Counstable taken prisoner and Capten Mariman with the rest not able to stand any lenger, consideringe the multitude of the enemy, made away by ffotemanshipp, to theire garrysonne: thus was this noble gentillman and the rest betrayed, he beinge seriant maior before to the Lord Burgh came ouer, so there hath bene slaigne three piose valyant gentillmen mannadging that office in a small tyme., oh what hath bene the ouerthrowe of the English man, more then his to much trust in these Infidelles, who allwaies when they are leaste suspected, then are they moste busyed, aboute theire treachery (yet no warninge will serve.

Ffor any greate accident in the Northe, vntill August followinge, except some few delaies and parleyes, betwene the right honorable the Lord Lieutenant Generall and the Traytor Tyroane (which fell owt to purpose at all, but chardgeable to her maiestie, I here not of any worthe the wrytinge, for he lying secure in his Tyrannycall denne, dothe nothinge but poaste Tirrell, Brian Reogh and other southerly Rvnnagates to disquiet Liempster, to kepe theire handes in vre?, against he shall haue, need, to vse them himself.

And now to draw to an ende of theise my raw intelligences, Capten Williams before rehearsed, lyinge longe in that vnhappye  p.116 341v fforte, withowt any relief, but such garrondes and horsses as he by pollycue coulde attayne vnto, for the svfferinge of himself and and hungry warde; acquaynted the estate with this theire woefull misery, who havinge aswell regarde of theire distresses, as the safety of that bulwarke, sent for the Lord Lieutenant Generall to Dublin: whereafter debatinge what course was best to behelde, in the ende concluded; that Sir Henry Bagnall shoulde haue the generall commaund of this expedicion, wherevppon he was fyrnished, as I am credibly informed wtih iiii thowsand men stronge, horse and fote, the master gunner and three field pieces with all other necessaries, fit for such a Journey., And thus provyded advaunceth himself forwarde, vntill he came to Armagh where he encamped, And on moneday in the morninge beinge the xiiii of August 1598 he set forwardes towardes the forte on foote; apointinge his horsmen as winges and his cariadge betweene the vantguarde and the rerewarde, which the vantguarde he leadde himself, and so marched on vntill he cam within two myles of the forte, where the Enemy had caste, three mighty trenches wherein many shot were placed, being some viii xx distant one from another, and no way to march but that., wherevpon the vaiward being leade by Capten Streete, Capten Turner, Capten Leigh, Capten Pettit, and diuers other valyant leaders, they set vppon the first trench, (and wanne it) and so the seconde lykewyse, notwithstandinge the greate resistaunce made by the enemy: so that many a man fell on both sydes, (but see the cruell mishap) whylest they were fighting before, and the martiell drawing on to second them: being verry hoatt and  p.117 342r takinge of his headd pece was stricken in the headd with a bullet and so slaigne, and to encrease our sorrow the more, some barrelles of powder by negligent mischaunce, toke fyer and spoyled a nomeber of our people, the terror whereof, with the losse of that worthy knight so dawnted our mens couradges, beinge ready to approache the third trench: that they began to recule which the traytor Tyroane espyinge came with all his fforces, and chardged our people, and for the trenches were neither manned by our people nor filled vpp by pyoners, as in such cases they ought to haue bene, that our people might haue the better come of; they beinge tyred with fightinge, were not able to leape the trenches, so that theire perished a nomeber of them, that otherwyse might haue bene saved, and so by reasonne of all these disadvauntages theire happening against our army they were forced to retyr, back to Armagh, with the greatest losse, that euer was sustayned on our sydes before, An Estymat whereof I haue herafter set downe.

And so vppon this Capten Williams havinge no meanes to be relieued was driven for the saueguarde of himself and comepany, to yield vpp the forte, vpon condicions, and come his way, the remaigne of our Army hembed in by the Enemy at Armagh, withall theire victuall and cariadge, and the boddy of that worthy knight, were vppon agrement betwene the enemy and them, (which I desyred not to knowe) lycenced to departe towardes the newry. Whereby the way, Capten Bonney going asyde aboute some busynes he had, was theire slaigne, And for that I was not present in that Journey myself wryte vnto you other mens reportes, I will  p.118 342v poaste you ouer to some other, that was present at the same himself, And so for this tyme Adieu, Dundalk the xx of August 1598.

Slaigne:

• Sir Henry Bagnall
• Capten Streete. Capten Leigh
• Capten Henshaw. Capten Fortescue
• Capten Turner. Capten Pettit
• Capten Evans. Capten Morgan
• Capten Elsdenne. Capten Beethell
• Capten Bourke. Capten Reley
• Capten Bancks. Capen hanns
• Capten Ratlif. Mr James Harington
• Capten Cosbie presvmed ?rodement? ALL

Finis Vltonie

How say you brother, is it not tyme to top this lofty pyne.

Yea and cropp the underwood too, or els all wilbe naught shortely: Now I pray you if I may be so bould, to desier you to shewe mee where the best estate of that comon wealth lyeth, & what be the causes of these greate troubles.

4.

The fourthe and last booke, intreateth of matters towching the Comon weale of the Countrie (and where it hath contynued in the beste sorte: and how decayed againe, withe other necessarie noates concerninge the recouery of the same: with a declaracion of voluntary rebelles startinge owt, who hath bene maynteigned by her maiesties purse, a longe tyme togither.

Silvyn

My verry good brother: (which pardonne craved) in respect I vndertake to be a begynner, and the last that spake, yet presvminge somuch vppon you zeale and affection towardes mee: I haue embouldened my self to begynne in this sorte.

Ffirste, that consideringe there hathe bene divers Parlyamentes, houlden in that Realme of Ireland, (by sundry wyse and discreete noble men there, governing, tendinge to the advauncement and furtherance of that Comon Wealth. The Actes of which; theire seuerall cessions before them houlden, I am suer appereth at Lardge; which no doubt if they had bene duly effected, ffrom tyme to tyme. (accordinge the makers good meaninges: the Realme of Ireland coulde neuer haue growne thus owt of fframe., wherfore I shall desyer you, if you haue harde, or canne by your small contynvance there, acquaynt me, with some efficient causes, that hath breadd these calamities, I wilbe verry well contented to give you the hearinge.

Peregryn

Truly brother those be matters, farre overeachinge my groase capacitie: but yet emongst my noates I will shewe you one, beinge the opinion of an oulde man of the English Pale, whose chaunce it was to come to myne hoastes house in Dublin, accompanied with three or fower of his neighbours; who after dynner, talking of theire greate hinderances in this broken tyme: and he beinge Cock of that comepany, beganne in this manner.,

 p.120 343v

I remember sayeth hee, that within these threescore yeares, it was not tollerable emongst vs of the English Pale, to permit or suffer, any of the O Neales, O donelles, maguyers, mc mahowndes, o realies or any other Irish borderer to Inhabit emongst vs: by which meanes, wee weare so fast tyed in Consanguintie, alliaunce and amitie, one to another that it was as harde a matter to snapp a shefe of Arrowes in pieces, beinge fast bownde togither at one Instant force; as to separate our generall resolucion, to attempt any daunger in the princes behalf whatsoeuer; I neede not to fetch our ensample so far, as Edwarde the Seconde tyme, (all Irelande yealdinge to the Scot Edwarde le Bruse (savinge our Awncestors of the Englishe Pale; which stuck to the Lorde Justice brimdgham in that manner (beinge the last carde in the buntch) that by theire meanes the prowde scot and his army was ouerthrowne, At Carickbraddogh not far from Dundalk, And also in the lord Leonarde Greaies tyme by Ardee, Against Oneale and all his power of the North: and diuers tymes sithence to longe to rehearse.

But now within these fewe yeares: by the Instigacion of the devill, the wicked & covetous personne: that had more reguarde of his owne private gayne, then respect to the comon wealth, his offspringe and neighbors, made fosteridge, gossipred and marriadges with the Irish aforesaid: which strange monsters (contrary to the statutes) and our Awncestors leaste meaninges, once crept in emongst vs) it became so generall, that glad was hee, that might first retayne them to Inhabit under themselues., but marke, what mischief hath ensued thereof; which wee and others of latter tymes, that haue bene here established by her maiestie, and her predecessors doe now to late repent the reasonnes whereof; accordinge to my groase skill are presentely as followeth.

Ffirst by reasonne of combynacion, with the Irish as aforesaide, in crept theire languadge to be allmoste generall emongst vs, & that within a shorte  p.121 344r tyme scorninge our oulde English speech, which our Awncestors brought with them at the first conquest, thincking it to base, by reasonne whereof; we thought our selues mightly well appoynted: to be armed with two languadges: so that beinge thus furnished, we were able to goe into the Irish countries: and truck with them: comoditie for comoditie: (which they in former tymes were driven to bringe theires vnto vs) and either bought ours againe with the mony they receaued for it: or bartered ware for ware for ware, by an Interpreter., Now this kynde of Intercourse with the Irish, breadde such acquayntance amitie and frendship betwene them and vs, beinge so furnisht with theire landuadge, that wee cared not contrary to our duties, in ballauncinge our credittes, to make fosterifge, gossipredes, and marridges, as aforesaid with them (so that now the English pale, and many other places of the kingdome, that were planted with English, at seuerall conquestes: are growne to a confusion of septes., most of the porte townes, plannisht with merchantes of that kynde.

Secondly when we were acquaynted, with the Irish reteigned emongst vs, as a nomeber of others, by reasonne of Intercourse into theire countries: And for that wee are nyer and better acquaynted with the estate, then they are., we must stand as advocates, ffor them, they prefer to foster vnto vs, where there sundry condicions in that league:

Fosterers

The ffirst is miltch nvrses, that fostereth vpp our children with theire breastes, and any chylde that is so taken with, must haue as good a porcion (landes excepted) as any of the fosterers children, and this Irish mylke: worketh such effect in our children, that are so fostered, that moste of them neuer careth for Englishmen, or English civilitie euer afterwardes, for they make so greate accompt of theire fosterfather, fostermother, fosterbrethern  p.122 344v and foster sisters: that any thinge that is within theire Reaches, to be compassed they will not stick to effect, (allthough many of them, should bringe themselues, within the daunger of the halter (which many tymes they doe, by bearinge such Affection, to that sorte of people who naturally are euill: And as for the ffemymyne foster chylde, she mist not onely haue a fosterchyldes parte at her fosterfathers deathe (but a helpe when she is marryed besydes.

The Seconde kynde of fosterers, are of the meaner sorte of people, and these beinge poore tenantes, cloaze in with theire landlordes, and to curry favour with them, take with one of the children, and promissieth him a chyldes porcion, and this is called a dry fosterer (of which sorte) one chylde may haue a dozen, theise looke also for some extraordynary kynde of favour, at theire landlord, and foster sonnes handes (but yet nothinge in measure, to the first fosterer., for theise kynde of people desyrethe help, but for petty matters.

The thirde is muche lyke the laste, but beinge of a better callinge (combyneth nor taketh with none) but with greate mens children, (Aswell for that hee must give a lardge porcion, with his fostersonne: And having his matters and suites (in courte as otherwyse, of greate effect, then the meaner fosterer hath (which must be followed (ad omnia quare) by those he taketh with (be the cause good or bad (or els hee will slipp his headd forthe of the collor and cry. A new master, a New, for a nomeber of these cannot drinck of all water (yet verry bountyfull if you please theire humours (which happely may bringe theire patrones to play the barrysters.

The fourthe is a man, that by greate industrye and paynes, is growne to be wealthy, and willingly if he might, would be contented, to live honestly of his owne, withowt entermeddlinge, with other mens matters: but beinge so aspyred, and his name in no greate requeste, beinge  p.123 345r taught by other mens harmes to by wyse, with his wealth; forseing that warynes cannot serve his turne, if envy and covetousnes, pry into his estate (and especially when those two capitall synnes: are lodged in mr countenance; whose nature beinge so Armed: still shooteth at the Inocent to bereaue him bothe of landes, goodes and lyfe to: If he be not the sooner prevented (and his hungry guarge crammed for speedy redresse whereof, this fourth fosterer: knowinge his neighbour countenances hvmor., ffrankly taketh with his master his eldest sonne and heire. And assurthe hym of a chyldes porcioon, after his death, and an yearely anuytye during his lyfe; by which costly shift, hee is enrowled in master Countenances Checque (as one of his deere ffrends, and defended in all kyndes of extremytyies.

Here be a fifth kynde of fosterers: and they take not onely with one chylde: but with my master and all his whole houshould, and theise pay mr maynteigner, contynvally with the sweate of other mennes browes (and if any of theise kitchen fosterers come vnder coram (he mr maingtener will labour verry hard, but he will get them at liberty agayne: vpon easy bandes. And yet carieth not a poynte; to forfeict xxli, rather then a meane rascall of that coare, shoulde once come in daunger of the lawe. (there be of theise kynde of people, that bringeth in better stuffe then kitchin matters, and they take prisoners to rawnsome, for mony, apparell, victuall, and any other necessaryes, as powder, mvncion and such lyke, (of which ill gotten pelfe, mr maytneigner hath his childrens partes: And thus much ffor fosterers.

Gossipridde

Then to say somethinge of Gossepride a moste pestylent monster to a comon wealth, then fosteriidge is, (though that be bad enough: And of that there be fower kyndes

The first and moste tollerablst is at the fynt stoane., wherein is a shew of Christianytie and called Publique Gossiprid, and in great  p.124 345v reputacion emongste the Irish (whose comon oathe is, either by theire lordes, or Christian gossips hande, (when this sacrament is performed, the Irish embouldeneth himself, greately vppon any personne, that he hathe so combyned himself with, aswell of the preferringe of his sonnes, daughters, and frendes, to services emongst vs, as otherwyse we muste be helpinge of any such, in any necessary suites: for doinge whereof, Now and then, some curteous present is sent vs, And to confirme the premisses, the better, wee must not shew ourselues so vnkynde, but make gossipride with the apurtenances besydes, & so much for the fiirste.

The seconde gossipride is by breakinge of breade betwene partie and partie: and in this is concluded some smack of mischief intended, which; when any such matter falleth owt, we must doe our best endeavour to remedy the same: for entermedlinge with which sometymes wee are taken vp for halting, yet we neuer come in daunger as wee thinck, till venias mecum ?onceth?: and still for our paynes some salary cometh for playinge the bolsterers.

The thirde gossipride is, by seuerall oathes voluntarie taken, betwene partie and partie, for the fullfillinge of any covenant betwene them., though it smell as farre as felony, and then sometymes we bringe our selues in daunger to play the barristers.

The fourth and last poynte of Gossipride cannot be thoroughly effected, but by abusinge the holy sacrament of the comvnion: which all parties in that league combyned (most receaue the same to confirme any thinge, that is or shalbe from thence forth, agreed vppon, betwene them, yea though it smell of rebellion, murder, threasonne, burninges etc or any other capitall degree of what nature soeuer, so that by the illusion,  p.125 346r of the deuill, whereas that holy sacrament was instituted by Chryste; to the salvacion of the worthy receauer, is by such people as these, converted to the distruccion bothe of body and soulde to as many as vseth this kynde of Gossipride, form the which kynde of combynacion the Lord deliuer vs.

Then last of all. when we haue thoroughly performed, these ceremonies aforesaid, yet that cannot be thought sufficient unles we marry one with another, And there cometh in kinred, Allyance and affynitie of bludd, and then when this mixture hath taken thorough roote, we ffeare not any daunger whatsoeuer, but whylest we thinck our selues in greatest securitie, owt startes our fosterers, gossips and Allies, of the Irish pale into rebellion, and then some of vs, that haue traced these galliardes aforesaid, must adventure our selues in respect of the premisses, to be assistant vnto them, aswell private and publique, though we venture both lyfe, goodes, landes, and perpetuall Infamy besydes, yet you must vnderstand, I speake not this onely of the English Pale, but of all other partes of the Realme where Englishmen haue bene planted, Well accordinge to our tenvres, we are called to serve against the Enemy: and then not as we were wont to doe in proceedinge tymes (as formerly I repeated beinge compared to a sheafe of Arrowes of one makinge: but lyke a field of corne all overgrowne with wiedes: beinge so troubled in our myndes, how to make choyce of our enemies to fight with, many of them beinge our fosterers, gossips and Allies, so that  p.126 346v whylest we stand amased with these kynd of fantasies (not tymely considering our duties to our prince) preferringe our own tradicions, before god and religion, the Enemy in whom no kynde of synne or breach of promis is respected, taketh his oportvnitie, to murder, burne prea and spoyle vs to our castell walles, wysely (if one may so terme it) serving his owne turne, and neuer lyke to happen otherwyse for there is not a greater hiprocrit in the worlde then the meere Irish man is who observeth his fastes, and babling with his mouthe he knoweth not what (as though he were devocion it self) but let his cosen, his brother, yea if it were his father crosse him in any thinge; then as the English northerne phrase is, ensveth deadly fude, what hath bene the ouerthrowe of mounster, Connaght, and ulster to; in ould tyme, as English as the best, but the aforesaid three monsters (as they are vsed) fosteridge, gossipride and marridge: And after followeth Leimpster to as fast as they canne, we may take ensample of three places in this kingdome; to learne to avoyde these inconveyences, Looke but into the county of Wexforde where moste parte of the gentillmen of that country, and the successors of the first English conquerors, reteigning as yet, theire ould English tongue, which argueth theire litle combynacion, with the Cavenaghes and other the Irish borderers: being allwaies vppon their Jackes: the citizens of Waterforde will scarcely match, or marry with any strangers; but the Towne of Gallway in Connaght, will neither marry with any stranger nor by theire good willes, suffer any to  p.127 347r dwell emongst them., for no doubt if they had combyned themselues, with the generall ould Inhabitantes of the country aboute them, in manner as aforesaid: they might happely have mourned with the towne of Athenry, who hath allmoste lost all her faier apparell, except her faier girdle of stoane, but they be of sundry septes, and match within themselues, and for theire dayly and strict warde at theire gates, it passeth all the rest, for let him be what he will, if the portes be once shutt, he must tarry, mr maiors leysure, And I ensuer you those three places aforesaid, setteth vs down a right patterne how we should shape our garmentes.

I had allmoste forgotten, the county of Ormonde which aboue all other places in Irelande, moste representeth the shew of a comon wealth, for therein; are many faier townes, the Inhabitantes whereof, are contynually exercysed, in makinge of Caddowes, blancketes, mantles of all sotes, rugges freises, and any other comoditie that the country doth yield, by reasonne whereof, the country men haue mony for theire comodities, youth trayned vpp to learne to live, when they come to ryper yeares; and for that both there; in the citty of Waterforde and other good townes, the weomen are the ouerseers and chiefest doers in these exercyses, the men traffick for England, ffraunce, Spaigne & flanders, and to other places where the comodities, are moste vendible, havinge many faiers in that country besides where much is vttered, And for that they are contynuall dealers, with merchantes and others of England, whereby groweth acquayntance.

 p.128 347v

A nomeber of theire children, are brought vp in diuers, citties and townes there, who scorneth not to get theire livinges, and so it is in many other places of the west besydes, as Limberick, Corck, Killmalock, Yoghall and others which follow the same order, that those of the townes of Ormonde dothe, but not so generall.

Now happely it may be said, why should not all other countries besydes, of that kingdome, be brought to the lyke stay that those westerne places are, to that I awnswere that as it shoulde seme, the Erles of Ormonde discending of English bloud, and noble from the first, brought ouer in theire comepanies many gentlemen, and others of meaner sorte, as merchantes, handycraftes men, and others: who not cominge ouer for a monethe; but for euer, first strengthened themselues by fortfyinge of many townes, which as I haue said before, are good stoare in that country, which was not onely a defence for theire personnes, if the Irish whom they cam to subdue (had bene able to kepe the field, but a succor for theire people and goodes., who might apply theire trades and craftes, withowt any impeachment of the enemy, which was an especial ocasion to abandon idlenes, the chiefest maistris, that attends vpon the meere Irish.

Ffor they for the moste parte, are all gentillmen and beggers: for they will say we may not worke, for that we are men of name and landes, In deede, many of them, haue verry greate lyvinges, for in most places emongst them they devyde their landes by gauell kynde; so that if a man haue twelve sonnes, and  p.129 348r but one plough land euery chylde muste haue a share; so that in myne owne knowledge there be many of the chiefest bloudd of the Irish: have now scarce a good garden plot for theire shares, yet will not settle themselues to any honest trade.

There is a statute that the Irish lordes and gentillmen that houlde theire landes in this kynde, might appeale to the lord deputy and councell, and haue it graunted, vnder the broade seale, houldinge theire landes from her maiestie, as the manner of England is, from the father to the eldest sonne, and to his heire etc., which no doubt was enacted to a verry good purpose, that the rest of the bretheren or children, might apply themselues to live as in other good comon wealthes, but that as it falleth owt, did more hurt then good, except order had bene taken, that the terrytory lordes, shoulde haue bene forcid, to haue erected some stronge market townes in each of theire countries, accordinge to theire scoapes of landes, to haue trayned vpp theire youth as formerly is spoken of. In Ormond for now havinge neither landes, nor good educacion, they must needes follow theire oulde occupacions of filtchinge & stealinge: and from ii criminall factes into rebellion, to the which poynt it is now come to., there is neuer a one of these terrytory lordes. But if I were able to be harde, but should put in two principall pledges, aswell for the performance of her maiesties peace, quiet of all the well meaninge subiect, as the performinge and accomplishinge, of all the said market townes, for the purposes aforesaid, all which, if any of them did not performe, accordinge as it shoulde be laid downe, by the higher powers, I woulde hange vp one of his pledges, and take  p.130 348v vp another in place of him that was strangled, secondly, if he made default, vse him that cam in first with the lyke measure, and take in another (so that I would be suer that all my stringes should not faiele me at once, And if this would not serve, to force him & his countrie, to live as subiectes, bereaue him or them of their territories, with all his maynteigners and abettors, and bestowe it vppon such; that will put in sufficient securitie, to performe truly all covenantes beeseeminge, I canne tell you frendes and neighbours, that want of good take heede in tyme: hath bene the onely cause of these generall mischief.

Well now I caste at Monnsieur Tyroane, and then an ende; It is not vnknowne vnto vs all, that be here, how graciously and bountifully the noble Queene Elizabeth, hath delt with that Archtraitor, first raysinge him vp, from the dunghill, to the type and name of an Erle, the countenancinge him with horse and fote in pay, notwithstandinge he had livinge to much before, No honour was to much to bestowe, vppon this shameles companion. (who when ensample of most duty and thanckfullnes, should haue bene, expected, for her maiesties greate graces bestowed vppon him, he lyke an hippocriticall backslyder, havinge filled his cofers, with her maiesties coyne, stoared him self with furnyture, aswell forth of her maiesties office of ordynance, as from such creakers as served vnder him and Tirlagh Lenogh, in theire civill contencions, which kynde of freebootinge Capten with theire comepanies tollerated to reare and take vp Irish soldiers was the chiefest cause of martiall dyscyplyne emongst them, and then the castinge away of the Spannyardes vppon the coastes of Odonell country and  p.131 349r his, brought both mony and furnyture, And to shew himself cvnninge in his intended villany, how fynely he could haue leade transported owt of Englande, to cover his castell of Dvngannon, as he alleadged., (which in effect was the leaste parte of his meaninge, but provyded to worke some mischief agaynst his soueraigne, who had elevated him so high, that beinge furnished as aforesaid, with the help of Odonell, magwier the ringleader and the whole power of the northe (beinge as honest men as himself with the help of other southerne and westerly rebelles, hath well declared, what an honest man he is.

Well to be shorte those Northerne miscreantes, within these fewe yeares, knew not what the due order of fighting was and now it is a professed arte emongst the cowheardes of Vlster, God send some Good man to vnarme these roages (and put them to cow kepinge againe, for any other worke that is good they canne doe none., hemb them in with stronge townes at Collrane, the dirry, Duneluce, Clonarne, Olderfleete, and other necessary places, that the traffick that the scot hath with them may to turned to our profittes, doe the same at balleyshannon, and other necessarie places in Odonnelles country, and when the intercourse of strangers is taken from them, front them with stronge garrysonnes ffrom dundalk to the edge of Orowrkes country, and cut of the intercourse that theire kinsmen the merchantes (black and grey) that dwelleth emongst ourselues haue with them, for they are the master Badgers that help them at a pinch, with wyne, aquavitie, salt weapones, mvnicion, powder, apparrell, and other necessaries (and so doth the scot to, all which beinge but a small tyme  p.132 349v taken away, from them, they will breake theire hartes and bellyes with eatinge shamrockes, water cresses, stinckinge butter and drincking vsyne Tubber., for the best sorte cannot live withowt sack, and aquavitie: And then they may lay vpp theire staple of hydes, tallow, and yarne, vntill the yeare of Jubile, And so for the rest of the manner, for the conqueringe of those Infidelles, I referre it to wyser mens braynes then myne owne. And yet thanckes be to god, allthough our cosens of the English Pale, haue bene scovrged in respect of theire extraordynary combynacion, yet haue they stood somewhat piller lyke, in these tymes of trouble, And so I end at this tyme, besechinge the allmighty to restoare, this forgrowne, estate to a perfect comonwealth, when his goodnes shall see tyme.

Peregryn

Now brother, how lyke you this oulde fellow of the English Pale.

Silvyn

I promis you I lyke him well for his playne dealinge; for he hath shewed many good reasons, that hath bene the overthrowe of that country, and some meanes presently how it may be remedied if matters were put in execucion: which nowe cannot easely be effected, withowt greate chardges of men victualles and mony. And sufficient personnes to mannadge the services with uprightnes, aswell forseinge that euery man haue his due., accordinge to equitie and justice: as on the contrary receavinge the same in that measure, faiele not to acomplish any thinge, that is beseeminge; vpon payne of extreame pvnishment, by the law to be  p.133 350r ministered, but now I thinck you haue allmoste made an ende.

Peregryn

Even savinge a litle, towchinge the soldier revolted to the enemy and so an ende.

Silvyn

I pray you say on; for I longe to here what they canne say for themselues.

Peregryn

It is was my chaunce to be at an ordinary in Phillipstowne, where some of the owt start Oconnors and others, that had served longe tyme in her maiesties Garrysonne bandes (beinge then protected (came in for some refreashing for theire mony, at which tyme there chaunced to be two strangers & myself: yet they were well acquaynted with them., and emongst other talk the elder of the two, demaunded of them why they had forsaken theire alledgiances to her maiesty,

With that; one emongst the rest made awnswer; in the excurse of himself and companions, & said, that theire officers misvsed them, theire Captens stole theire pay, and if they chaunced to get a ticket in a yeare or two, it was a greate favour, as they thought, but beinge so obteigned they were driven to sell them to some clarke or merchant for half stake, and how those two kynde of petty foggers, shift for the other moitye, I referre to such, that hath better skill therein then I haue, but we all that haue served in bandes are assured the Quenes maiesty payeth the whole: Also we were kept shorte for our victuallinge mony, so that lyinge  p.134 350v in Townes, and not victualled by the stoare; when we had no mony, we coulde neither get cloathes to vppon credit to kepe our bodyes from weather, nor scarce victualles to houlde lyfe and soulde togither, so that we were compelled, by the negligence of such, that shoulde haue supplyed our wantes with the premisses, to rely vnto the rebelles, for vnder theire protection, we are lycensed to live as Libertynes without conptrolment.

Then falles he in hand with a younglinge, that had bene a merchantes mans servaunt, what ocasion he had to follow that course of lyfe; to whom he made awnswere, that he thought it a better gaine to be clarke to CC men, and to haue two shillinges a meale, and three shillinges for wrytinge of a letter, then to follow tadey maley his horse heeles.  ⁹

Then the younger of the two, strangers fell in hande with a principall vyper emongst them, that had served longe in her maiesties pay in some reputacion, and demaunded of him why of all men: he would forsake her maiestie having bene so well delt with him.

Tush, quoth he; when the Capten hath a shorte band, and hath poasted away his Englishmen, he must needes of necessitie make vp his nomeber, what shift soeuer he makes, and then he sendes forth his scowtes, to harken where any of our sorte are, to be enterteigned who at length cvninge in that faculty, understandes of some xx or thirty of our sorte, whose behaviour hath bene such, that they may not come in withowt a protection; for the present, and after theire pardonnes (which matter is perfourmed with all expedicion, neither serchinge after any of bringing vp, either of our parentes or  p.135 351r kinred, our honesties, our able boddies to fight, the handlinge of our weapones, or zeale to the Queenes maiestie, (proceedinge no father then to serue his owne turnes. And truly for ould acquayntance sake I will be playne with you. It is your owne selues, that hath brought vs vpp to this passe, that feelinge now by your meanes, we haue gotten knowledge to fight, furnyture and weapons to defend ourselues, and offende our gaynsayers: having a meete comepany to accumulate, and gather the riches of the country withowt resistaunce, we haue no reasonne to the contrary, but to take our tyme: and to be a people of ourselues Irish, and not to be commaunded by the English, for we haue borne theire yoake to longe., And one woulde will not prea vppon his lyke; Nor we hurete one another in generall, and now our faction is growne greate, wee loke to be masters of our land in Aphaley or euer it be longe. And if it fall not owt to our expectacion, there be a nvmeber of vs, that canne make frendes to come in againe, And the service well accepted at his handes that will present vs, For I knowe a nomeber my self that hath bene at the actinge of greate matters and yet huddld vp: and receaued in againe to supply voyde roomes. So that you may see: how Englishmen may be blynded. And those companies that be in the Queenes maiesties pay now, what are they I pray you, but moste Irishmen (except such as lately came forthe of Englande piccardy, for we are not Ignorant that by the statute there shoulde but six Ireland men in a band of a hundreth, and that of English race to, And now it is a greate matter if  p.136 351v a band haue studd, one yeare in pay and especially employed in service, if the Capten haue twelue Englishmen in his Cth, And be you assured of this that we can comaunde, a nomeber of our countrey men that are in pay, to come to vs at our pleasure, but we let them stay there, vntill we see tyme, which we doe in pollycy to worke your greater woe, for it must be them nvsled vp in your bosomes, that must devoure you. I could say more but I may not for certaine causes and with that worde they all departed the house.

Silvyn

Now I ensuer you brother, there is some groase kynde of dealinge in that land, in whom soeuerr the fault is, to suffer her maiesties ffourceis, to be chosen owt of so wicked a people (whose country beinge the verry picture of Idlenes it self (except in few places) there canne be neither an ende of warrs: nor meanes to reduce that state to civilitie, as longe as they are suffered to remayne armed. But what saith the muster master to it for he is a man of greate experience.

Peregryn

I had neuer any conference with him my self nor with any of his officers, but I haue sene some that hath had speeches, with some of his new fraternitie of commissaries towchinge the allowinge of so many Irishmen: theire awnswere was that they did nothinge but by warrant which was bothe sufficient for their master and themselues, for you must thinck that they haue a care of themselues  p.137 352r But yet one pretty trick I hard of, That when some pauper gentillman is willinge and desyrous to be a capten and maketh greate frendes to attayne therevnto, and his advocates beinge demaunded, by such as are in aucthoritie, how he canne reare his company, of Cth or Ltie men, as the partie is in favour, to haue either more or less: tush say they that is the least care of a thowsand: he cannot want men., then beinge once graunted a chardge owt goeth a scowt as formerly I tould you and he bringth in a scvm of sconderelles, who must be furnished owt of her maiesties stoare. forthwith but for any service many of them will doe (except a litle for manner sake to bringe themselues in theire Captens lykinge theire meaninge be least. And thus is the good Quene Elizabeth, bereaued of her threasure, victualles, apparrell and mvnicion, with allmost the subuersion of that kingdome, by these vnnecessaye dealinges.

Silvyn

As I haue said before: I am right hartely sorry, that the Good Quene shoulde be delt with in this manner, And grieued I am to here, that which I haue harde, I pray god shall (sic) amended for I perceaue these fellowes in rebellion (nor many of these miscreantes in pay neither, wilbe driven to throwe away their weapons, for the sight of our whips, as the Scithians made theire bondsmen doe, at their cominge forthe of Asia, for they beinge longe abroade in the warrs, (moste of theire wyues thinking they had bene slaigne or dead, marryed themselues  p.138 352v to their bondsmen, but when contrary to theire expectacion, they harde theire masters were drawinge homewardes, in steade as receauing them, salvted them with Armour and weapons, but the poore sclaues, when they espied their masters throwinge a syde theire weapons, and them to theire whipps, a medecyne that they had often tasted of before. Away some ranne; the rest submitted themselues to theire masters and glad to take the yoake of bondage: vppon them againe. How say you brother, will your Irish vassalles, be brought to trace this gallyard.

Peregryn

No I warrant you., for these fellow will not be scared with weaponnes, much lesse with whipps, and as for their peces, murrions, and swordes, they farr passe our mens for the moste parte, bothe in goodnes and well kepinge, I pray God loke vppon our deere bretheren there if it be his pleasure, And suffer them not to fall into theire handes, as our predeccessors did in ffraunce, in Henry the VIth tyme, after that diuers provinces there, had remayned many yeares in our handes, some by inheritance, and others got with the sworde, with the losse of many a mans lyfe, and yet all gon ffrom vs in a moment, And in the same manner went Callice too. In Quene Maries tymes; after it remaygned Ccxxtie yeares in our possession, being a yeare agettinge, by the renowned Kinge Edward the thirde, and lost againe in eight daies, I pray God those may serve for ensamples, towchinge the better keepinge of Irelande, beinge the parte (allthough chardgeable) that doth serve for a back armour to England.

Silvyn

It is verry certaine, that if that back parte of the Armour should miscarry and be cut of from England (as God forbid it should) it would make the ould  p.139 353r Brutes of Wales, to loke aboute them, more then they doe now. Well brother I perceaue you are now drawinge to an ende.

Peregryn

Well Brother I haue deteigned you a greate whyle, with this my Ireland newes. And now will ende with this one ensample.

A chief piller of myne sometymes, havinge had good experience, aswell by travaiele as otherwyse to give a sownde Judgement, concerninge matters of estate, havinge one other in his comepany besydes my self., fortvned emongst other matters (then fittinge for the tyme, to discourse of certaine services effected in the Ile of Creete alias Candie. I served sometymes saieth he: vnder Counte Peter, and Counte Sebastian Generalles, at suerall tymes of the Venecians Armyes, both by sea and lande, for the space of six yeares, against the enemies of that estate, beinge chiefly the Turke, but emongst all theire warrs, they were moste troubled with the Cretans (a province belonginge to the said Venecians; for they a greate tyme togither, had waged the country people there, (as we vse in Ireland now) aswell to warre against forreigne Enemies, as otherwyse against some of that nacion which did rebell. the chieftains of which comotion, were certaine Bishops of beinge nobly borne of the Greeke and Latyne churches, who many tymes bickeringe with the venecians deputies there, sometymes to theire gayne, sometymes to theire losse, At length not prevaylinge to theire expectacion, drew in the turkes, who burned one of theire chiefest citties called Rethimo, but made no longe stay there, after the doinge thereof. For which fact, emongst others by them comitted, they loked for no mercy, if they were subdued by the deputy there: And therefore as a people disparringe, gaue out by way of proclamacion, liberty to all cretans, that would take parte  p.140 353v with them, for the bannishinge of the Venecians. And the spoyle of all such, as might not be reduced to take theire partes, with promis besydes, that when the Conquest, and reformacion obteigned, every man a porcion of land, accordinge to his estate and desert, wherevppon the moste parte of such as had bene longe tyme in pay, with the venecians, by whole flockes revolted to the bishopps syde (to the greate weakeninge of the deputy there (wherevppon; and for redresse thereof ( least all should goe to wrack, he certified the duke and state of Vennyce what chaunces were theire befallen, who vppon the said intelligences (Addressed the aforesaid Counte Peter with a puissant army from Vennyce, to salue vp that soare, who at his cominge into Creete, dallyed not with the rebelles, with light skirmishes to weare owt his men (beinge far of be supplied: but preferred them battell which they accepted; and were cleane overthrowne. And vanquished; theire noble men or bishops, taken and crucified, who songe psalmes vnto the deathe, the revoltinge soldiers, miserably tormented and slaigne, And for that the Venecians would be troubled with the lyke rebellions no more, toke all theire warlyke people with their wyves children and servantes and shipped them, for other coulder countries where they had government, leavinge them to settle themselues to live, which was sawer a sawce to them as theire owne Iland of Creete, called the garden of Euroape was sweete: and in theire places sent some of theire owne country people: and so beinge placed a farre of were neuer in hoape to retourne to theire owne country againe, I beseech the  p.141 354r Lorde and that with speede sende thither, a peter, a paule, a Robert, or of any other name whatsoeuer, so that he may rid that pore countrie of Ireland, of all those cursed rabble, and carry or sende them some way, that they may never be harde of agayne, and plant better in theire romes, And even so good brother Silvynne, I ende with my Irelande occurrances.

Silvyn

ffor your greate paynes taken, herein, I doubt not, but the honest subiect, will give you your due, and as for my self, havinge receaued the first taste thereof, I yield you a thowsandes thanckes, and so Adieu., but yet could I wish that the rebell of necessitie (that haue bene drawne forcibly into accion, by the voluntary rebell (shoulde be assisted vppon his Inocency, & maynteigned to serve against the other.

Finis God Saue The Queene

@book{E590001-001,
  title 	 = {The Dialogue of Peregrynne and Silvynnus by H.C., presented to the Earl of Essex in 1599},
  author 	 = {H. C.},
  edition 	 = {0},
  note 	 = {Prefatory Note by Hiram Morgan; Transcription of the text by Hiram Morgan, with annotations by Kenneth W. Nicholls and Hiram Morgan.},
  publisher 	 = {},
  address 	 = {},
  date 	 = {Forthcoming}
}
 E590001-001.bib