In vaine, and contrary to reason, hath she maintayned with great charge,
that honorable Ambassage to the Duke of Parma the last yeere: in vaine
was she aduertised of the monstrous Nauie of Spaine, and the miraculous
swarmes of forces with Parma in Flanders, destinated & prepared for her
ruine, and the spoile of her kingdome: she remained stil without all
intention or disposition to send any further forces into Flanders, and
was after a sort negligent, both of defending herselfe, and of
extending the limits of her gouernement beyonde the Seas, with purpose
to liue in quietnesse without feare, and in peace without ambitious
desire of rule.

[Sidenote: Her Maiesties Ambassadors sent into Flanders to intreate of a
peace.]

And howsoeuer she may be thought greedie of other mens Dominions, she
sent to Parma very noble and excellent Ambassadours, who being delayed
from day to day, from moneth to moneth, without any thing accomplished,
she notwithstanding tooke it patiently, and suffered so farre these
dangerous delayes, that the Spanish Souldiers panting with haste and
greedinesse for the blood and butcherie of her Maiestie, and people most
deare vnto her, were come vpon her coastes, and before her doores. In
this sort was her hope deluded, and her opinion frustrated by him,
contrary to the royall dignitie of both the Kingdomes of England and of
Denmarke.

And if the victorious hand of God had not herein derided the cunning
deuises and purposes of the Spaniards, if it had not scattered so great
a terrour to all Christendome, and drenched their carkases in the Sea,
what should the state of the said Hanse marchants haue bene, so busily