Europe, they are at this day the most powerful. But -as the Turk is now counterpoised by the Persian, so instead of so many millions as have been spent by the English, French, and Netherlands in a defensive war, and in diversions against them, it is easy to demonstrate, that, with the charge of two hundred thousand pounds, continued but for two years or three at the most, they may not only be persuaded to live in peace, but all their swelling and overflowing streams may be brought back into their natural channels and old banks. These two nations, I say, are at this day the most eminent and to be regarded; the one seeking to root out the Christian religion altogether, the other the truth and sincere profession thereof; the one to join all Europe to Asia, the other the rest of all Europe to Spain. : For the rest, if we seek a reason of the succession and continuance of this boundless ambition in mortal men, we may add to that which hath been already said, That the kings and princes of the world have always laid before them the actions, but not the ends of those great ones which preceded them. They are always transported with the glory of the one, but they never mind the misery of the other, till they find the experience in themselves. They neglect the advice of God, while they enjoy life, or hope it; but they follow the counsel of Death upon his first approach. It is he that puts into man all the wisdom of the world, without speaking a word; which God with all the words of his law, promises or threats, doth not infuse. Death, which hateth and destroyeth man, is believed,God, which hath made him and loves him, is always deferred. I have con'sidered,' (saith Solomon,) all the works that are ' under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and vexa'tion of spirit ;'-but who believes it till Death tells it us. It was Death which, opening the conscience of Charles V. made him enjoin his son Philip to reVOL. VI. A A ་ store Navarres and king Francis I of France, to command that justice should be done upon the murderers of the protestants in Merindol and Cabrieres, which till then he neglected. It is therefore Death alone that can suddenly make man to know himself. He tells the proud and insolent that they are but abjects, and humbles them at the instant; makes them cry, complain, and repent; yea, even to hate their fore-past happiness. He takes the account of the rich, and proves him a beggar,--a naked beggar, which hath interest in nothing but in the gravel that fills his mouth. He holds a glass before the eyes of the most beautiful, and makes them see therein their deformity and rottenness; and they acknowledge it. O eloquent, just, and mighty Death! whom none could advise, thou hast persuaded; what none hath dared, thou hast done; and whom all the world hath flattered, thou only hast cast out of the world and despised; thou hast drawn together all the farstretched greatness, all the pride, cruelty, and ambition of man, and covered it all over with these two narrow words, Hic jacet. Lastly, Whereas this book, by the title it hath, calls itself the First Part of the General History of the World, implying a second and third volume, which I also intended, and have hewn out ;-besides many other discouragements persuading my silence, it hath pleased GOD to take that glorious Prince out of the world to whom they were directed; whose unspeakable and never enough lamented loss, bath taught me to say with Job, Versa est in luctum cithara mea, et organum meum in vocem flentium.? THE DISCOVERY OF THE LARGE, RICH, AND BEAUTIFUL EMPIRE OF GUIANA: With a Relation of the great and golden City of MANOA, which the Spaniards call EL DORADO, and the Provinces o EMERIA, ARROMAIA, AMAPAIA, and other Countries, with their Rivers adjoining. Performed in the year 1595, by Sir WALTER RALEGH, Knight, Captain of her Majesty's Guard, Lord Warden of the Stanne ries, and Lieutenant-General of the County of Cornwall, Printed at London, by Robert Robinson, 1596: |